DAYBREAK SERIES



APRIL-JUNE/1979

Adult Sabbath School Lessons

Standard Edition

THE LAST HOUR

Jesus gave His all to save us. Are we willing to give of

ourselves to help introduce a child to Him?

Vacation Bible School is a planned program in which

each of us can help.

Do you care enough?

President WALTER R. L.SCRAGG Secretary B. B. BEACH Treasurer R. UNNERSTEN

NORTHERN EUROPE-WEST AFRICA DIVISION

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

119 ST. PETER'S STREET, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE. ENGLAND. AU

3EY

Telephone: ST. ALBANS 60331 Telegrams/Cables' 'ADVENTIST ST. ALBANS' Telex. 262264 Ref 1720

Sabbath School Members,

World Divisions of the

Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dear Member,

Greetings in the Lord from more than 200,000 fellow Sabbath School

members in the 18 nations of the Northern Europe - West Africa Division!

First of all a word of thanks to you for the help given in the last

Thirteenth Sabbath Special Project Offering. The library at the Adventist

Seminary of West Africa is almost complete. The additions to the junior

college in Finland now help that school function smoothly. The last of

the projects to get under way - the new Publishing House building for

Norway - is being built. Thank you for making this possible.

Now for the new projects your offerings will help this June 30.

The first of these is part of a new health strategy for West Africa.

Despite the loss of several of our hospitals to government expropriation

we are trying to help more people than ever before. To do this we are

establishing small clinic buildings throughout West Africa with mobile

units attached. These will take health to the people where they are,

through on-the-spot check-ups, out-patient treatments and public health

lectures. So we are asking you to help us put a clinic into the Togo-

Benin mission with a mobile unit attached. This will also be the first

organized health work in the French-speaking territories of this Division.

Two schools will benefit from the special project offering. In

Sweden the historic campus and buildings of Ekebyholm Junior College

will be enhanced by the construction of a Gymnasium and assembly hall.

In England, a similar unit will be constructed on the beautiful Stanborough

Park estate. Throughout the European section of the Division schools are

essential to the spiritual welfare and evangelistic growth of the church.

Both these structures will serve these purposes.

While you are lifting your sights toward our needs we are joining

you in seeking to finish the work in our territories. This year we have

a faith objective of 1000 souls baptized each month. Will you join us

in praying that we shall reach and surpass this objective?

God bless you for your support and your prayers,

Walter R.I. Scragg, resident

1—A.L.

2-79

wIEE rts

31vinsNI a

41Imdb



Is your spiritual umbrella solid, or is

it full of holes? Will you be able to tell

the difference between the outpouring

of the Holy Spirit and Satan's counter-

feit?

The Impending

Drama by Dr. Fer-

nando Chaij, noted authority on last-

day events and author of the popular

Preparation

for the Final

Crisis, deals

with such vitally important issues as

glossolalia, spiritism, the charismatic

movement, Armageddon, and the

144,000.

Written to help in your study of the

Sabbath School lessons for the second

quarter,

The Impending Drama is a

must addition for anyone interested in

last-day events.

Special Introductory Offer!

Available until June 30 for only

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DAYBREAK

SERIES

Adult Sabbath School Lesson/No. 336/April-June, 1979

Contris

1. Future Events

2. Christ With His Church

Persecution and the Christian

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

The Time of Trouble-1

The Time of Trouble-2

Spiritualism and the Occult

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

Spiritual Manifestations, True and False

10.

The Battle of Armageddon

11.

Liberation of the Church

12.

The Second Coming

13.

Christ, Our Victory

The Adult Sabbath School Lessons are prepared by the Sabbath School Department

of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the les-

sons is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Lesson Com-

mittee, the members of which serve as consulting editors.

Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20012

Lesson Author: Fernando Chaij

Editor: W. Richard Lesher

Editorial Secretary: Florence•L. Wetmore

Circulation Manager: Arthur R. Mazat

Art and Design: Pacific Press

Scripture references other than from the King James Version used in this quarterly are as follows:

NEB. From

The New English Bible,

of the Cambridge University Press 1961 and 1970. Used by permission of Cambridge University Press, New York

City.

RSV. From the

Revised Standard Version Bible,

Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by

permission.

Braille lessons available. See page 112.

Adult Sabbath School Lessons (standard edition). Published quarterly by Pacific

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Cover photo from NASA; p. 8, UPI

ill

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27 28 29 30

just for

the Record?

Our daily study is more than a perfect record.

Through it comes knowledge of "The Word."

Your Adult Sabbath School Lesson is designed to

fill the need.

THE LAST HOUR

Introduction

The daily news reveals more and more that the end is near. Crime, violence, immor-

ality, political animosity, cold and hot wars, general fear, anxiety, the deterioration of

economic conditions even in the most developed countries—these are impressive

fulfillments of Bible predictions for the last days of history. Political corruption and

eroding stability at all levels of society produce decay of public confidence; respect

for law and order vanishes even in traditionally conservative areas; exploding

population brings distress to lands already overcrowded and hungry. In the modern

religious world new theologies undermine the basic principles of the gospel of

Jesus Christ, rejecting the law of God as the supreme moral code. All of these and

more constitute eloquent signs that the second coming of Christ is at hand.

We do not need to delineate here such an apparent fact. Every church member is

convinced of it. Even the world is aware of it. We have these words from the in-

spired pen: "Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and author-

ity, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the

events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that

exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of

every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about

to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous

crisis."—Education,

p. 179.

In these lessons we will remind the students that not only will the world pass

through troublous times, but the church itself shall experience a difficult crisis. This

will affect every one of us.

During this time of crisis the enemy will make the final and most desperate

effort to appeal to every believer in such a way as to cause his alienation from Christ

and bring about his final destruction. He will adapt his attacks according to the par-

ticular weaknesses of every individual.

"At that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily

retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with

its avowed enemies."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 463.

God has made ample provision for every one of His children to go through this

crisis victoriously. All the inspired predictions regarding the nature and the alterna-

tives of this crisis have been laid out before us, both in the Bible and in the

writings of the spirit of prophecy.

All the means of grace have been put at our disposal, so that no one need fail

in the hour of darkness. We have been told that "the weapons of our warfare are not

carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (2 Cor. 10:4).

It is easy to lean toward conformity, lukewarmness, and partial commitment to

Christ. We should, by the grace of God, make two resolutions: (1) to study with

wholehearted interest the inspired records in order to become acquainted with what

we have to face in these last days; (2) to "put on the whole armour of God" not

overlooking any of the means that Heaven has provided for growth in our Christian

experience.

By implementing these two resolutions we make ours the victory already won by

Christ in our behalf, allowing God to fulfill His wonderful promises in our life.

During this quarter we will concentrate on encouraging the reader to draw nearer

to Christ and to endure in the crisis we face.

Next quarter our subject will be: Be Ready! We will study how we can be fully

prepared for the crisis which we are entering, develop fruits of the Spirit, receive the

former and the latter rain, be sealed, and be endowed with the mighty power of God

to finish His work.

LESSON 1 April 1-7

"Knowing the time, that now it is

high time to awake out of sleep:

for now is our salvation nearer than

when we believed. . . . Let us walk

honestly, as in the day. . . . Put

ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make

not provision for the flesh, to

fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom.

13:11-14).

The events of the last days are of

such importance that their careful

study is essential for every child of

God. The end of the investigative

judgment, which is the end of

probationary time, and the second

coming of Christ will surprise many

professed Christians. This is why we

find this admonition: "Behold, I come

as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth,

and keepeth his garments, lest he

walk naked, and they see his shame"

(Rev. 16:15).

We watch by studying the precious

messages God has left for us in His

Word and in the spirit of prophecy

writings, by secret prayer, by a

daily surrender to Christ, and by

application of God's messages to our

individual lives.

The great happenings foretold in

prophecy have a definite relation with

each other. Most church members

have studied these things at one time

or another, but sometimes they do not

have a clear idea about the sequence

in which the events will come, and

this makes the whole picture confused

to them.

It is our purpose in this first lesson

to present these main issues in their

chronological order and to show them

in an overview. We will give just

a brief explanation of the nature of

each one of them, and later we will

examine each one in more depth.

Many of us have seen charts of the

final events showing the exact

sequence of many details. But can

any particular order be sustained by

the inspired pen? Notice that in this

study we have not tried to fit every

detail into exact sequence.

In the chart on page 114 (see page

16 of Teacher's Quarterly) we place

only the main issues in a logical

sequence, leaving out of the picture

any hypothesis or personal opinion

regarding the less important

occurrences, or those whose exact

order has not been revealed to us.

This chart is brief and clear, and

every item can be easily verified in the

Bible or in Ellen White's writings.

May this overview help us to know

the time. May it prompt us to awake

from spiritual sleep. May it lead us to

put on now the Lord Jesus Christ,

the only source of strength and safety

in the trouble-filled days that separate

us from the glorious hour of the

coming of the Saviour.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Events During Probation—I

(Amos 9:9)

Events During Probation—II

(Rev.

7:3)

Events During Probation—III

(Rev. 13:15-17)

The Time of Trouble

(Dan. 12:1)

Events During the Time of Trouble

(Rev. 16:1-21)

Events From Liberation of

the Saints to the

Second Advent (Rev. 12:11)

Future Events

LESSON 1



Sunday

April 1

Part 1 A.

Shaking.

EVENTS DURING

PROBATION—I



"Lo, I will command,

and shake the house of Israel among all the nations,

as one shakes with a sieve,

but no pebble shall fall upon the earth" (Amos 9:9, RSV).

In this prophecy it was ancient Israel that was to be shaken,

but Ellen White uses this figure of "shaking" to refer also to a

time when many who are numbered among the people of God

will apostatize. (See

Testimonies, vol.

1, pp. 332, 431;

Early

Writings,

pp. 273-276.) Many will leave the church because they

did not accept the divine call to conversion

and reformation.

"Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his

power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but

it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be

sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is

a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 911.

Reformation.

What greatly needed experience of Israel of old is a prime

necessity in these days? Joel 2:12, 13.

revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and

most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first

work."—Selected

Messages,

bk. 1, p. 121.

The shaking will occur as a counterpart of revival and ref-

ormation. Under the powerful proclamation of the message of

Christ and His righteousness—understood both as forgiveness

and as obedience by faith and reception of His perfect charac-

ter—many will turn completely to the Lord, and they will step

forward as one man to finish God's work on earth.

THINK IT THROUGH

Why is it that many will not participate in the reformation

within the church, but will be shaken? How can I prevent this

tragedy in my own case?

"There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the

Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing

upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heav-

enly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that

ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their

children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repent-

ance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which

God has promised to grant us His blessing."—Selected

Mes-

sages,

bk. 1, p. 121.

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 269-273.

Future Events

LESSON 1



❑

Monday

April 2

Part 2

EVENTS DURING

PROBATION—II

Sealing.

"Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we

have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads"

(Rev. 7:3).

In order to prepare His children for the time of trouble, God

desires to seal them, to stamp upon them the seal of His law,

of His character, of His perfection. This process is taking place

right now and will soon be over. It is a personal work done by

the Holy Spirit, and it can be described as a process of sanctifi-

cation which starts at conversion and ends with the close of

probation—whether at the death of the believer or at the end of

the investigative judgment. The sign of the seal of God is the

true observance of the Sabbath in a time of persecution. Such

loyalty demands a dedication that goes deep into the Christian

experience.

Latter Rain.

What great promise to Judah in Joel 2:23, 28, 29 has signifi-

cance also for the last days?

Finishing of God's Work.

To what event does Revelation 10:7 point?

According to the great principle enunciated by the prophet

Zechariah, it is "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,

saith the Lord of hosts" that the proclamation of the last mes-

sage will be done and the work will be finished.

The completion of God's work is not an uncertain issue in the

Bible. Many promises and prophecies assure its success. Reve-

lation 10:7 is just one of the promises.

The promise of the latter rain is for today, and not for some

future time. But there are certain requisites for the reception

of this great gift: the emptying of self, victory over sin in all

its varieties, and a total commitment to witnessing for God.

(See

Testimonies,

vol. 5, p. 216.)



THINK IT THROUGH



What can I do to foster the sealing process in my life and to

partake in the experience of the latter rain?

"Those who receive the seal of the living God and are pro-

tected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus

fully."—Early

Writings,

p. 71.

"When one is fully emptied of self, when every false god is

cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the

Spirit of Christ."—Gospel

Workers,

p. 287.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

p. 55;

Early Writings,

pp. 279, 280.

2—A.L. 2-79

Future Events

LESSON 1



❑

Tuesday

April 3

Part 3



"He had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that

EVENTS DURING the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as

PROBATION—III many as would not worship the image of the beast should be

killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and

poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in

their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he

that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of

his name" (Rev. 13:15-17).

Civil Enforcement of Sunday Observance.

The lamblike beast of Revelation 13, which represents the

United States of America, is the subject to which verses 15 to 17

refer. This great country, through the constitutional principles

of religious freedom and separation of church and state, has

achieved a high degree of religious freedom. But unfortunately

the time will come when it will legislate on matters of religion.

These laws will require of Sabbath keepers a violation of the

fourth commandment.

Beginning of Persecution.

Religious legislation will mark the start of persecution. The

lamblike beast will speak like a dragon. The dragon of Revela-

tion 12 is a persecuting power. The second beast (the U.S.) will

oblige all the inhabitants of the world to worship the first beast,

Rome (verse 12). It will command all those who dwell on the

earth to make an image to the first beast, namely, the Roman

power (verse 14). Since this beast exercised both civil and

religious power, the image of the beast will be another power

doing the same thing. This image will be formed by those

Protestant churches that will persuade the state to impose

religious laws. Also the lamblike beast will cause all to receive

the mark of the beast. And "the mark of the beast is . . . the

observance of the first day of the

week."—Testimonies,

vol. 8,

p. 117. Under the image of the beast Sabbath keepers will be

denied the right to buy and sell (verse 17).

Leaving the Large Cities.

After the Sunday law has been imposed nationwide in the

United States, it will very soon become a worldwide obligation.

This will be the sign for the people of God to leave the big

cities and go to rural areas or to less-populated places.

THINK IT THROUGH

What would help me today to be prepared in order to make

the great decision of loyalty to God when the mark of the

beast will be imposed?

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 604, 605.

Future Events

LESSON 1



❑

Wednesday

April 4

Part 4

THE TIME

OF TROUBLE

THINK IT THROUGH

What description does Daniel give of the time of trouble

that begins at the end of the investigative judgment?

"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which

standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a

time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation

even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be

delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book"

(Dan. 12:1).

When the investigative judgment that began in 1844 is finished

and the decree of Revelation 22:11 is pronounced, Michael—

Christ—will stand up. He will leave the sanctuary, where He is

interceding for sinners. He will take off His priestly robe and will

put on His kingly garments. Probation will close. The forgiving

grace of God through the blood of Christ will no longer be

available. All the world will be in great affliction. The seven last

plagues will be poured upon the impenitent.

Although the children of God, the sealed ones, will be pro-

tected from the plagues, they also will undergo unmatched

anguish, first, because of the persecution, and, second, because

of a short but intensive time of spiritual anxiety about their past

sins. But God will not allow one of the saints to lose his life dur-

ing this time. The spiritual anxiety will be brief. Uncertainty will

be banished soon.

Note about the order of events preceding the time of trouble.

The order given in the lesson for events preceding the end of

probation is not necessarily the order in which these events will

happen. Nevertheless there is some logic in the sequence. The

shaking and the reform movement will begin'before the falling

of the latter rain, and the latter rain will start before the finish-

ing of God's work. During a certain period of time the shaking,

the reformation, the sealing, the latter rain, and the loud cry

will be happening together. All of them will end at the close of

probation.

Why is it necessary for the children of God—after the seal-

ing—to go through a time of trouble? Why does God allow us

to suffer even now?

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 282-285.



Future Events



LESSON 1



❑

Thursday

April 5



Part 5



Seven Last Plagues. (Read Revelation 16:1, and then

EVENTS DURING

broaden your vision by reading verses 2 through 21.)

THE TIME OF



TROUBLE



During the time of trouble the seven last plagues will be fall-

ing upon the world, but they will affect only the impenitent. No

obedient child of God will receive any physical harm. "I will be

with him in trouble" is the promise. (Read Psalm 91.)

Death Decree and Fleeing From Small Towns (Rev. 13:15).

A death decree will be issued against those who observe the

Sabbath. They will be cited as enemies of law and order and the

cause of all the calamities. A specific date for executing the

decree will be set. When this is announced, the commandment

keepers will flee from all populated centers and will seek refuge

in forests, deserts, and rocky places, where they will have the

special protection of God. In the very night set for the death

sentence to be carried out God will miraculously deliver His

people.

Persecution and Divine Protection (2 Tim. 3:12; Rev. 3:10).

Although God's people will be severely persecuted, holy an-

gels will defend the loyal ones.

Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16).

Armageddon will be the last conflict between good and evil

before the advent. It comes under the sixth plague. The earthly

powers allied against the saints will be the dragon (spiritual-

ism), the beast (the papacy, Rome), and the false prophet (apos-

tate Protestantism).

"Two great opposing powers are revealed in the last great

battle. On one side stands the Creator of heaven and earth. All

on His side bear His signet. They are obedient to His commands.

On the other side stands the Prince of darkness, with those who

have chosen apostasy and rebellion."—Ellen G. White,

Review

and Herald,

May 7, 1901.

Miracle-working spirits of devils will deceive the rulers of all

the world, to mislead, destroy, and persecute. On the very day

set for the carrying out of the death sentence the Lord will

paralyze the wicked with a great commotion of the heavens and

the earth and with an extraordinary display of power in the

natural elements. Soon after this the majestic sight of the re-

turning Son of God will appear in the heavens.



THINK IT THROUGH



Is it enough for me to be acquainted with what is going to

happen during the time of trouble? What is needed in addition

to knowledge?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 619-625.



Future Events



LESSON 1



❑

Friday

April 6



Part 6



"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the

EVENTS FROM word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the

LIBERATION OF death" (Rev. 12:11).

THE SAINTS TO



THE ADVENT



Here is a review, summarized from

The Great Controversy,

chapter 40, of the events that will take place between the liber-

ation of God's people and the second coming of Jesus:

The Liberation Itself.

Wicked men halt as they are about to destroy God's people.

The sun shines at midnight.

God's voice is heard, saying, "Look up" and "It is done."

Successive Signs and Wonders.

Rivers cease to run.

The voice of God shakes the heavens and the earth.

A great earthquake.

Hail makes a terrible destruction.

The cities fall in ruins.

Prison walls are rent, and children of God are freed.

A Partial Resurrection

occurs in which all participate who

died in the faith of the third angel's message and those who

took part in the death of Christ.

A Hand Appears in the Sky Holding the Tables of the Law.

Enemies of God's Law, Full of Despair, Curse Their False

Shepherds;

the weapons which were to slay God's people are

now employed to destroy the false ministers.

The Voice of God Proclaims the Day and the Hour of

Christ's Coming.

A Small Cloud Appears That Envelops the Saviour.

All the Righteous Are Resurrected.

The Living Righteous Are Transformed and Glorified.

Both Groups Are Caught Up Together to Meet the Lord.

The Wicked Still Living Are Destroyed

by the brightness of

His coming.

Christ Confers Upon His Followers the Emblems of Victory

and opens the pearly gates of the Holy City, and the redeemed

enter.

What is the only way of assuring our liberation? Rev. 12:11;

Rom. 13:14.

The blood of the Lamb has washed away all sins, giving the

saints a complete forgiveness because of their faith in Jesus as

their personal Saviour, and that blood also has given them

power over sinful habits and defects of character. On the other

hand, the saints will have overcome the devil by the word of

their testimony.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I make even much more enjoyable for me the won-

derful liberation God has prepared?



FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 285-291.

LESSON 2 April 8-14

"These things write I unto thee,

hoping to come unto thee shortly: but

if I tarry long, that thou mayest

know how thou oughtest to behave

thyself in the house of God, which is

the church of the living God, the

pillar and ground of the truth"

(1 Tim. 3:f4, 15).

During this quarter and the next we

plan to study a series of events that

should stir the church. Therefore we

will first study about the church of

God on earth.

How does the Bible define and

describe the church? What are the

main purposes for which it was

established by God on this planet?

What is its function? What great

ideals does God have for it? How did

the Lord relate Himself to it in the

past, and what is His present

relationship? What are His promises

for its future?

The Word of God expresses a deep

feeling of love and tender

consideration by our heavenly Father

toward the church, as well as toward

every one of His children.

We will see how the church, the ark

of salvation, the house of God on

earth, has been marvelously protected

in persecution and has been tenderly

loved by God in spite of its

weaknesses.

We will be assured by past

experience and future promises that

God, who led His church in very

difficult times, will continue to be

with it, so that the church, now

militant, will become triumphant.

Also, we want to discover the most

glorious aspect of this subject:

namely, that Christ is the head and

the foundation of His church, that

He is its leader, and that under His

direction, it will reach perfection.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Definition and Function

(1 Tim. 3:15)

God's Ideal for the

Church (Eph. 5:25-28)

Love and Tender

Consideration (Isa. 49:16)

Christ With the Church

Militant (Matt. 28:18-20)

The Church Triumphant

(Rev. 6:2)

Christ, the Head and the

Foundation (Col. 1:18)

Christ With His Church

LESSON 2



❑

Sunday

April 8

Part 1

DEFINITION

AND FUNCTION

THINK IT THROUGH

What does Paul call the church of God?

"If I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest

to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of

the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).

Soon after the beginning of human history the world became

divided between the obedient "sons of God" and the disobedi-

ent "children of men." God purposed from the first to call out a

people to represent Him in the world. These members of

God's family would live in the world but not belong to the

world. God's people sojourning in a strange land belonged to

what the Bible calls "the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38).

The New Testament word "church" is translated from the

Greek word

ekklesia,

which was used to designate .a public

convocation. This word has three basic meanings used in the

New Testament: (1) The meeting of the children of God (Acts

14:27); (2) the Christians who lived in a definite area (1 Cor.

1:2); and (3) the universal church or people of God (Matt. 16:18).

We will be studying the church in this last meaning.

God has designed His church to be the ark of salvation from

the flood of sin in the world. It is the "house of God," the insti-

tution where Christians assemble for fellowship and for worship

and communion with the heavenly Father. Also God wanted

to have His church as a means of preserving His truth.

What is another important function of the church? 1 Cor. 1:

2-7; 1 Cor. 12:28.

Writing to the church, Paul says that its members are to

"come behind in no gift" of the Holy Spirit. Later, in 12:28, he

names several gifts. So one purpose of the church is to be the

receptacle for the gifts named there. Therefore the manifesta-

tion of the gifts would come in the midst of the "church"—the

only true church of God.

Besides the fact that the church is the house of God on

earth, a center of fellowship and Christian growth, and the

receptacle of spiritual gifts, what is another one of her main

objectives? Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19.

Why is my attendance at church an important factor in my

spiritual growth? How do I go about making every church

service a real encounter with God?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 9-16.

Christ With His Church

LESSON 2



❑

Monday

April 9



Part 2



What is God's ideal for His church?

GOD'S IDEAL



FOR THE



"Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that

CHURCH he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by

the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church,

not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it

should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:25-27).

"Sanctify and cleanse.

Christ took away the filthy garments

and gave, instead, the robe of His perfect righteousness... .

"Washing.

Gr.

loutron,

'bath,' bathing place,' or 'bathing.'

The word occurs elsewhere in the NT only in Titus 3:5, where it

appears in the expression 'washing of regeneration.' Since the

context is that of marriage, there is probably an allusion to the

ancient custom of the purifying bath of the bride before mar-

riage. Or the reference may be to baptism. In either case, the

idea is that Christ has purified the church. Christ gave Him-

self for the church that she might become a pure church, and so

abide with Him forever."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6,

p. 1037.

"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession

of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the

sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be

spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood

of sprinkling...

". . . Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to

receive to Himself will be a 'glorious church, not having spot,

or wrinkle, or any such thing.'

"—The Great Controversy,

p. 425.

THINK IT THROUGH

Am I devoting enough time to being alone with God every

day in the study and meditation of His word (in the Bible and

in the spirit of prophecy writings) and in secret prayer in order

to grow toward this ideal?

"How are you to know that you are accepted of God? Study

His word prayerfully. Lay it not aside for any other book. This

Book convinces of sin. It plainly reveals the way of salvation....

"Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion.

With earnest, fervent prayer, plead for purity of soul. Plead as

earnestly, as eagerly, as you would for your mortal life, were

it at stake. Remain before God until unutterable longings are

begotten within you for salvation, and the sweet evidence is

obtained of pardoned

sin."—Testimonies, vol.

1, p. 163.

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 600, 601.

Christ With His Church

LESSON 2



❑

Tuesday

April 10



Part 3



What has God done on behalf of Zion, His church?

LOVE AND



TENDER CON-



"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

SIDERATION thy walls are continually before me" (Isa. 49:16).

Speaking of Judah, His ancient church, how does God re-

gard her? Zech. 2:8.

"The church of Christ is very precious in His sight. It is the

case which contains His jewels, the fold which encloses His

flock."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, p. 1118.

What does Paul say about the relationship of God with His

church? Eph. 5:25, 29.

"We should remember that the church, enfeebled and defec-

tive though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ

bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with

solicitude, and is strengthening it by His Holy Spirit."—Selected

Messages,

bk. 2, p. 396.

Those who speak against the church and try to degrade it are

directly condemned by the Bible and the spirit of prophecy, be-

cause there is no other institution so dear to the heart of God

as His church. It may have great deficiencies, but still Christ

loves it and protects it as the object of His supreme love.

A great task has been committed to the church. Its members

are to represent Christ's character and carry His message to all

the world. The church has not yet fulfilled the purpose for which

it has been called.

God has chastened it many times and has drawn it to Him over

and over again. But still it lacks faith and needs the deep trust

in Jesus that results in being clothed in His righteousness.

Meanwhile, it is being used by God as His agency in this world

for spreading the good news until the end of probation.

THINK IT THROUGH

Do I feel the love of God and the tender regard of Christ

as something not only exercised toward the church at large,

but also toward me personally? Do I dwell every day on this

loving affection of my Saviour and feel myself more strongly

linked with Him?

"The church is very precious in God's sight. He values it,

not for its external advantages, but for the sincere piety which

distinguishes it from the world. He estimates it according to

the growth of the members in the knowledge of Christ, accord-

ing to their progress in spiritual experience."—Christ's

Object

Lessons,

p. 298. Am I growing with the church?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 230, 231.

Christ With His Church

LESSON 2



❑

Wednesday

April 11



Part 4



What promise of Christ to His church has been fulfilled

CHRIST WITH through the ages?

THE CHURCH



MILITANT



"Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is

given unto me in heaven and in earth.... I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world." (Matt. 28:18-20).

The great controversy between good and evil, between truth

and error, between Christ and Satan, has caused the church to

pass through times of great trials and difficulties and even

through episodes of apostasy.

In Old Testament times Israel became largely corrupted and

no longer fulfilled the purpose of God. That purpose was to

represent His perfect character before the pagan nations and to

proclaim His name in a practical way. So God intervened. He

allowed some of these countries to conquer Israel and Judah.

The rebel people of God were taken captive and lived for 70

years in foreign lands. But God never forsook His people. And

after the 70 years the nation was brought back to Palestine to

begin a new era.

Israel rejected God when it refused to receive Christ; there-

fore He established the new or modern Israel, the Christian

church. But the door of salvation is still open for the individual

Jew.

This church went through great troubles. During the days of

imperial Rome, and also during the Middle Ages under papal

Rome, the church was greatly persecuted. Millions of the chil-

dren of God testified of their faith in Christ by suffering and

martyrdom.

There were times when the group apostatized, but God al-

ways had a smaller group who were loyal to Him and His

commandments.

All through the ages God has been with His church, and

Christ has fulfilled His wonderful promise. Since we are again

approaching times of restriction and persecution, we should

keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,

who will be with us individually and as a church, so that the

great purpose of God may be realized.

Chastened many times for its apostasy, but not forgotten—

persecuted and afflicted, but not abandoned by God—the

church will continue to have the special leadership and pro-

tection of God.



THINK IT THROUGH



"Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden

candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches.

He is in constant communication with His people."—The

Acts

of the Apostles,

p. 586.

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FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 582-590.

Christ With His Church

LESSON 2



❑

Thursday

April 12

How does Jesus predict the glorious triumph of His church?

Part 5

THE CHURCH



"I saw and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him

TRIUMPHANT had a bow; and a crown was given unto him; and he went

forth conquering, and to conquer" (Rev. 6:2).

The white horse represents specifically the apostolic church

of the first century. It also has a general meaning (see

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 776) and in this interpretation

is a symbol of the church of God in all ages. The full conquest

achieved by the rider on the white horse is a prediction of the

victorious Jesus at the head of His church. This triumph will

take place in spite of the persecution and troubles that have

plagued the church of God.

How does the revelator picture the triumphant church of

God of all the ages? Rev. 7:9, 10.

He sees a white-robed and happy multitude, so great that no

one is able to number them. They hold palms and sing a song

of victory, attributing all the glory to God. This vast throng is

made up of human beings saved by the blood of Jesus all

through the ages, those who from Abel to the last martyr have

given testimony with their life, all those who by faith in Jesus

have been counted as faithful members of the family of God.

What other symbol is used in the Bible to represent the

church in her last triumphant march toward victory? Song of

Solomon 6:10.

"Clad in the armor of Christ's righteousness, the church is

to enter upon her final conflict. [Song of Solomon 6:10

quoted.]"—Prophets

and Kings,

p. 725.

THINK IT THROUGH

How can I contribute to the excellency of the church—help-

ing it to be true to its allegiance and to prepare for the hour of

final victory?

"The church is God's agency for the proclamation of truth,

empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to

Him, obedient to all His commandments, there will dwell within

her the excellency of divine grace. If she will be true to her

allegiance, if she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is

no power that can stand against her."—The

Acts of the Apos-

tles,

p. 600.

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 593-602.



Christ With His



Church

LESSON 2



❑

Friday

April 13



Part 6



What position in the church does Paul say Jesus holds?

CHRIST, THE



HEAD AND THE



"He is the head of the body, the church: who is the begin-



FOUNDATION



ning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might

have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18).

Read also Eph. 5:23.

In a body every member is very important, and when one is

injured all the body suffers. But the head is the most important

part. The body cannot function or live without the head. There

we find the most vital part of our system, the brain, the head-

quarters of the personality, the center of the nervous system.

Likewise, in the church as a body, Christ is the head. Everything

depends upon Him, and the connection of every member with

Him is as vital as the connection of every member of the body

with the head.

By what symbol did Christ Himself emphasize this great

truth? Matt. 16:18.

On Christ Himself, the great Rock of Ages, He built His church,

and this is why it is so stable in spite of all adversities, tempta-

tions, and dangers.

Using another illustration, how does Paul teach this great

fact? 1 Cor. 3:11. (See Eph. 2:20.)

A building, to be of lasting value, requires a firm foundation.

A poor foundation can make it unsafe for occupancy. No other

feature of the building can make up for weakness at the base.

The foundation is the most vital part of any edifice. Thank God

that the foundation of the church "standeth sure," because it is

none other than the Rock of Ages.

"Men may suppose that they have found a new way, that they

can lay a stronger foundation than that which has been laid;

but this is a great deception. 'Other foundation can no man

lay than that is laid.' In the past, many have undertaken to build

a new faith, to establish new principles; but how long did their

building stand? It soon fell; for it was not founded upon the

Rock.

"Did not the first disciples have to meet the sayings of men?

did they not have to listen to false theories; and then, having

done all, to stand firm, saying, 'Other foundation can no man

lay than that is laid'? So we are to hold the beginning of our

confidence steadfast unto the

end."—Gospel Workers,

p. 307.



THINK IT THROUGH



How vital is my personal relationship with Christ? Am I

abiding with Him every day? (See John 15:4, 5).



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 64, 175, 176.

LESSON 3 April 15-21

"Ye have forgotten the exhortation

which speaketh unto you as unto

children, My son, despise not thou

the chastening of the Lord, nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him: for

whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth

and scourgeth every son whom he

receiveth' (Heb. 12:5, 6).

Persecution of the church of God

presents a problem. Why is it that God

ermits persecution in the lives of His

oyal and faithful children? Worse

still, many times the persecution

includes martyrdom. Through the

centuries millions of self-denying

Christians have lost their lives.

We find in the Word of God a

number of definite promises regarding

the care of our heavenly Father and

the assistance of His holy angels in

moments of danger. Notice one of

them: "The angel of the Lord

encampeth round about them that

fear him, and delivereth them"

(Ps. 34:7).

In some instances—for example,

the three Hebrew young men in the

fiery furnace, Daniel in the lion's

den—God wrought miracles to

preserve the lives of His children.

But in many other instances He did

not. John the Baptist met a premature

death. All the disciples, probably

with the exception of John, were

martyred; and in the case of millions

of loyal Christians who were

witnessing for their faith, God did

not prevent their death.

We cannot explain everything. But

still we can trust in the infinite

wisdom and love of God and

determine to be faithful to Him,

whether He delivers us from death or

not. When the three Hebrew young

men were given another opportunity

to bow before the image, they

answered confidently: "Our God

whom we serve is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace. . . .

But if not,

be it known unto thee, 0

king, that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the olden image which

thou hast set up' (Dan. 3:17, 18).

They had no assurance of what God

would decide to do in their cases,

but they had made up their minds to

be loyal to their God.

One thing we know: "All things

work together for good to them that

love God" (Rom. 8:28). Trials and

persecution are tools in the hand of

God to perfect our characters and

prepare us for eternity, but He stays

close to us during the trouble. We

know that all troubles and persecution

will soon come to an end and fade

away in our memories. Heaven will

seem very cheap in spite of past

trials and sufferings. (See

Early

Writings,

p. 17.)

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Blessed Purpose of

Persecution (2 Tim. 3:12)

Persecution in the Past

(Acts 7:52)

Future Persecution

(Rev. 12:17)

God's Way of Dealing With

Persecution (Matt. 5:10-12)

Victory in Persecution

(Rev. 15:2)

Our Assurance in Christ

(Rev. 12:11)

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Sunday

April 15



Part 1



Does godly living prevent persecution?

BLESSED



PURPOSE OF



"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecu-



PERSECUTION



tion" (2 Tim. 3:12).

The statement of the apostle is straightforward and strong.

It seems that a consecrated life stirs up the powers of darkness

and enrages Satan. On the other hand many times persecution

has

been

the means of awakening interest in the truth and at-

tracting sincere people to God. Could it be that many times the

lack of persecution may be a sign of the lack of real godly living

in the church?

What attitude did Peter urge believers of his day to take

toward persecution? 1 Peter 4:12-14.

"Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship

with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the

highest honor. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not

Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more

honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dun-

geon. 'Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to

believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.' Philippians

1:29."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 478.

What does Paul say is the end result of suffering? Rom.

8:18, 28.

God has a wonderful purpose in allowing us to go through

difficulties. Every bitter cup that He asks us to drink is a manifes-

tation of His love toward us.

"The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that

the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires

to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify

His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not

cast worthless stones into His furnace."—The

Ministry of Heal-

ing,

p. 471.

THINK IT THROUGH

What is the only spirit and attitude whereby, under tribula-

tion, I can receive the blessing God disguises in trials?

"It is because God is leading them [His children] that these

things [adversities] come upon them. Trials and obstacles are

the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His appointed con-

ditions of success."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 471.

FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 470-474.

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Monday

April 16



Part 2



What happened to the prophets of old while they were faith-

PERSECUTION fully carrying on their duty?

IN THE PAST

"Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?

and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming

of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and

murderers" (Acts 7:52).

Of Jeremiah, one of the most persecuted of the prophets,

Ellen White says: "When called to drink of the cup of tribula-

tion and sorrow, and when tempted in his misery to say, 'My

strength and my hope is perished from the Lord,' he recalled

the providences of God in his behalf and triumphantly ex-

claimed, 'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,

because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning:

great is Thy faithfulness.' Lamentations 3:18, 22,

23."—Proph-

ets and Kings,

p. 421.

What events did Daniel and John the revelator predict for

the Middle Ages? Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:7.

Millions of loyal Christians were tortured and killed during

the Middle Ages at the hands of Rome. They met this fate

because of loyalty to God and His Word instead of accepting

the dogmas imposed by the apostate church. Religious leaders

induced civil power to destroy all who resisted their authority.

"The history of God's people during the ages of darkness that

followed upon Rome's supremacy is written in heaven, but

they have little place in human records. Few traces of their

existence can be found, except in the accusations of their

persecutors."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 61.

"They [witnesses for God] were branded as heretics, their

motives impugned, their characters maligned, their writings

suppressed, misrepresented, or mutilated. Yet they stood firm,

and from age to age maintained their faith in its purity, as a

sacred heritage for the generations to come."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

p. 61.



THINK IT THROUGH



Is it possible for the children of God of this day and age to

develop the same faith and loyalty to God, even unto death?

Should I seek a martyr's death?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 266, 439.

3-A.L. 2-79

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Tuesday

April 17



Part 3



Read Revelation 12:17.

FUTURE



PERSECUTION



There are three periods when this scripture will be especially

fulfilled: (1) The days in which we are living. (2) From the estab-

lishment of the federal Sunday law in the United States to the

end of probation. In this epoch the image of the beast will be

imposed. (3) The time of trouble, after the close of probation,

when the death decree will be issued.

What does Revelation 13:12, 16 say about the days of the

second period, after the Sunday law?

When the lamblike beast—the United States—will exercise

all the power of the first beast—Rome—then the children of God

will begin to experience great trouble. The state, at the request

of the churches, will impose economic restrictions and severe

penalties on those who refuse to disobey God.

"All who refuse compliance [to the observance of the false

sabbath] will be visited with civil penalties. . . .

.. Whoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human

enactment receives the mark of the beast. . . .

"But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God [of Rev. 14:9,

10] until the truth has been brought home to his mind and con-

science, and has been rejected.... The decree is not to be urged

upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to

make his decision intelligently.

"The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty."—The

Great

Controversy,

pp. 604, 605.

For what act will a death decree be issued? Rev. 13:15.

This decree comes after the end of probation, during the

third and final period of the time of trouble. A definite date

will be fixed for its execution. Nevertheless, before that day the

wicked will afflict the Christians, in certain areas even trying to

kill them. But the protection of God will be over them during

the time of the plagues.

On the very night when the opposers of the faithful plan a

mass killing of all Sabbath keepers, the sun will shine at mid-

night; and the final liberation will come. (See

The Great Con-

troversy,

pp. 635, 636.)

THINK IT THROUGH

FURTHER STUDY

Do I need to have a naturally courageous disposition in

order to be able to resist the powers of darkness?

Peter, by his betrayal, revealed a cowardly trait. Later on,

though, he stood before the Sanhedrin. At the moment when he

knew that such a statement could mean his death, he boldly

declared: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

What caused this complete change? How long did it take for

the change to be realized?

The Great Controversy,

pp. 445-450.

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Wednesday

April 18



Part 4



What did Jesus teach about persecution for righteousness'

GOD'S WAY OF sake?

DEALING WITH



PERSECUTION



"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness'

sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say

all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice,

and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you"

(Matt. 5:10-12).

"Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus

[Christians of Nero's time] kept their faith unsullied. Though

deprived of every comfort, shut away from the light of the sun,

making their home in the dark but friendly bosom of the earth,

they uttered no complaint. . . .

...Looking upward by faith, they saw Christ and angels lean-

ing over the battlements of heaven, gazing upon them with the

deepest interest and regarding their steadfastness with

approval. A voice came down to them from the throne of God:

'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'

Revelation 2:10."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 41.

What promises of God to His ancient people continue to

support suffering people today? Isa. 43:2.

"Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon

walls cannot cut off the communication between their souls

and Christ. One who sees their every weakness, who is ac-

quainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers; and angels

will come to them in lonely cells, bringing light and peace from

heaven."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 627.

What assurance does Paul give to tempted believers? 1 Cor.

10:13.

What a beautiful thought, that God prevents every trial from

exceeding what we can endure and delivers us at the appro-

priate moment!

THINK IT THROUGH

"What was the strength of those who in the past have suf-

fered persecution for Christ's sake? It was union with God,

union with the Holy Spirit, union with Christ. Reproach and

persecution have separated many from earthly friends, but

never from the love of Christ. Never is the tempest-tried soul

more dearly loved by his Saviour than when he is suffering

reproach for the truth's sake."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 85.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 626, 627.

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Thursday

April 19



Part 5



Describe the symbolic setting in which John saw the



VICTORY IN



victors.

PERSECUTION

"I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them

that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image,

and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on

the sea of glass, having the harps of God" (Rev. 15:2).

These victors "sing the song of Moses the servant of God,

and the song of the Lamb" (verse 3). The song of Moses was a

song of victory.

In addition to these who obtained the victory over the beast

and its image Revelation also describes another "great multi-

tude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,

and people, and tongues." They also stand "before the throne,

and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in

their hands" (Rev. 7:9, 10). These also proclaim the victory

and salvation of God. They belong to all ages.

This vision of a great throng of triumphant people gives us

assurance that victory over the world is possible and that we can

be victors if only we avail ourselves of the means of grace

provided in Jesus.

What can we learn from the experience of the first Christian

martyr? Acts 7:55-60.

"Acting more like beasts of prey than human beings, they

rushed upon Stephen, gnashing their teeth. In the cruel faces

about him the prisoner read his fate; but he did not waver. For

him the fear of death was gone. For him the enraged priests

and the excited mob had no terror. The scene before him faded

from his vision. To him the gates of heaven were ajar, and, look-

ing in, he saw the glory of the courts of God, and Christ, as if

just risen from His throne, standing ready to sustain His servant.

In words of triumph Stephen exclaimed, 'Behold, I see the heav-

ens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of

God.'

"—The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 100, 101.

Victory consists in faithfulness to Christ.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why did God permit the martyrdom of Stephen?

"The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon

all who witnessed it. The memory of the signet of God upon

his face; his words, which touched the very souls of those who

heard them, remained in the minds of the beholders, and testi-

fied to the truth of that which he had proclaimed. His death

was a sore trial to the church, but it resulted in the conviction

of Saul, who could not efface from his memory the faith and

constancy of the martyr, and the glory that had rested on his

countenance."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 101.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 84-86.

Persecution and the Christian

LESSON 3



❑

Friday

April 20

Part 6

OUR ASSURANCE

IN CHRIST

What did John say was the means of victory for those who

would experience the wrath of the dragon?

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the

word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the

death" (Rev. 12:11).

"The blood of the Lamb."

This expression leads our eyes

to the great scene of victory on Golgotha. When our Saviour

pronounced on the cross—at the moment of His death—the

words, "It is finished," He sealed the plan of salvation by crush-

ing the head of that old serpent, Satan, obtaining the most

glorious victory of all ages.

From then on, every human being could look to the cross of

Jesus. By faith he could appropriate for himself the same vic-

tory: victory over temptation and sin, victory in the midst of

persecution and death.

The spilled blood of Jesus that represents His final victory

has power. His death has power to atone for every sin and power

for us to be victorious—in His name—over our weaknesses and

our temptations. This includes power to remain faithful under

the most extreme persecutions, even the threat of death.

"The word of their testimony."

This is the second part

of the secret of victory. Stephen was not content with remaining

faithful to Jesus till his death; he continued to

testify with his

lips

on behalf of his Master till the last moment.

This is the way in which the world has to receive the saving

knowledge of the power of Jesus—the words of our testimony.

And when we utter our public testimony—whether in a personal

conversation, in the privacy of a home or in a meeting, orally

or in writing—that testimony strengthens our own faith. It is

also used by the Holy Spirit to impress those who hear. No one

can measure the far-reaching influence or the deep and per-

manent impression of such a human testimony. It may cause a

person or a group of persons to decide for Christ at a time and

a place far removed from the original testimony.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I avail myself of the power of His blood?

How can I take better advantage of my social and profes-

sional contacts with others in order to witness for Christ with

the words of my testimony?



FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 347, 357;

The Acts of the Apostles,

p. 55.

4. kildmils

of Peri/golfing Pours

LESSON 4 April 22-28

"The dragon was wroth with the

woman, and went to make war with

the remnant of her seed, which keep

the commandments of God, and have

the testimony of Jesus Christ"

(Rev. 12:17).

Throughout the centuries Satan has

used various political and religious or

spiritual powers with two purposes:

(1) to corrupt the faith, and (2) to

coerce the conscience.

During the early centuries of the

Christian era, through the Roman

Empire, the enemy's method was

persecution, intimidation, and death.

But in spite of this the church

continued to grow, and Jesus was

accepted even in the inner circle of

the emperor's palace. The enemy then

resorted to deception and cajolery

to corrupt the church. This led to the

union of church and state.

In the Middle Ages the enemy's

purpose was accomplished through a

big and popular church that had

apostatized. The church used the

power of the law and the armies

of the state to enforce a corrupt

religion. This continued during most

of the dark period of the 1260 years

prophesied in Revelation 12:6.

At the time of the Reformation and

afterward, near the end of that long

prophetic period, this type of action

on the part of the official church was

abandoned. Today it presents a

different front. It has even advocated

the concept of religious liberty at

Vatican Council II. For this we should

be grateful. But the inspired pen

warns us to beware of the facade;

the real nature of apostasy has not

changed.

The old methods of persecution—

torture and death—will be resurrected

at the last stage of the age-long

conflict between truth and error. This

time, though, it will be shorter, and

martyrdom of believers will cease at

the close of probation.

The state, apostate churches, and

spiritualism will unite their efforts to

win the loyalty of millions of people.

During all the times of crisis in the

past God has had His loyal people. In

the last moments of human history He

will continue to have His faithful

ones; those who keep the

commandments of God and have the

testimony of Jesus. They will defy

the efforts of the persecuting powers

and remain loyal to God.

In this lesson we will try to identify

the different powers that will oppose

God's people: the dragon, the first

beast, the second (or lamblike) beast,

the false prophet. We will see all of

them united in a concerted and final

action. But God's

people

will be a

part of the triumph of Christ, His

truth, His church, and with her, every

loyal one.

To know in advance how the great

enemy will work through human

agencies will help us to be aware of

the dangers of these final days. It

should cause us to seek victory

through the one unequaled and

infallible source, Jesus Christ.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Dragon

(Rev. 12:9)

The First Beast of Revelation 13

(Rev. 13:1)

The Second Beast of Revelation 13

(Rev. 13:11-18)

The Mark of the Beast

(Rev. 13:16, 17)

The Triple Union

(Rev. 16:13)

The Triumphant Child of God

(2 Cor. 11:24-27)

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Sunday

April 22

Part 1



What is the first power symbolized by the dragon? Rev.

THE DRAGON 12:9.

Satan himself is the first power represented by the dragon, as

we see in verse 9. Satan began the war against God right in

heaven. Later, on earth he began using different agencies. In

this section we will review some of the other powers employed

by Satan, the dragon.

What actions of the dragon in Revelation 12:3, 4 help to

identify an earthly power represented by the dragon? What is

this second power?

The dragon with seven heads and ten horns also represents

the Roman Empire. The seven heads or powers are the great

world empires which fought against God, moved by Satan. But

the prophet, using a figure of speech in which the whole stands

for a part (synecdoche), refers here specifically to the Roman

Empire. The dragon had also ten horns, which refer to the terri-

tory of Rome, which was fragmented into ten nations. In the

first century this power, through Herod, stood before the

woman (the church) to devour her Child. He ordered the murder

of all the children in Bethlehem up to two years of age in an

effort to destroy Jesus.

What features in Revelation 12:6, 14 identify a third power

symbolized by the dragon? What is this third power?

This is "Christian" Rome in the Middle Ages. The woman—

the small, loyal church of God—was persecuted during the pro-

phetic period of the 1260 years—three and a half prophetic

years or 42 months. (See Rev. 12:6; Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:5.)

The fourth stage

of persecution by the dragon. (See Rev.

12:17.) There will be a renewal of persecution against God's

people by the dragon. The earthly power that he will use for

this attack is presented in Revelation 13.

THINK IT THROUGH

What is the effective defense against the dragon who seeks

to attack us, not only by open persecution but by temptations

and provocations?

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power

of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be

able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:10, 11).

Study the different parts of this armor and discover how

every part of it points to Christ as the source of our strength

and the secret of our victory.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 438.

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Monday

April 23

Part 2

THE FIRST

BEAST OF

REVELATION 13

What were the features of the first beast of chapter 13?

"I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up

out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon

his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blas-

phemy" (Rev. 13:1).

The first ten verses of Revelation 13 present a history more

or less parallel to the one described in Revelation 12. But while

in the former chapter the events are seen from a political point

of view, here in chapter 13 we witness the same persecution

and affliction of the people of God from a religious standpoint.

This beast with its seven heads or powers may well represent

the succession of the seven great world powers: Egypt, Assyria,

Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, pagan Rome, and papal Rome.

Here also the ten horns identify the European territory into

which Rome was divided. Papal Rome would exercise her

power especially in Europe.

The parallel with the prophetic vision of Daniel 7 is estab-

lished by verse 2, where we see a beast composed of the parts

of three of the four beasts described by Daniel. These beasts

symbolized world empires.

What other specifications help identify this first beast? Rev.

13:5-7.

Both here and in Daniel 7:21, 25 it is easy to detect the same

great features that depict the papal power: (1) blasphemies,

assuming titles and powers that belong only to God; (2) war

against the saints; (3) a period of religiopolitical supremacy

of 42 prophetic months, equivalent to a literal 1260 years (A.D.

538-1798).

"This symbol, as most Protestants have believed, represents

the papacy, which succeeded to the power and seat and author-

ity once held by the ancient Roman empire.... This prophecy,

which is nearly identical with the description of the little horn of

Daniel 7, unquestionably points to the papacy."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 439.

What happened to one of the heads of the first beast? Rev.

13:3.

The death wound was the loss of the political power and

supremacy of the papacy, leading up to 1798, when the French

General Berthier took the pope prisoner. But the healing pro-

cess began when Mussolini, in 1929, restored to the pope some

of the territories which had been taken from the papacy.



THINK IT THROUGH



Would you think that God will require of us an even stronger

testimony than from the medieval Christians? Why?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 54.

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Tuesday

April 24

Part 3

THE SECOND

BEAST OF

REVELATION 13

What are the features of the earth beast?

Read Revelation 13:11-18

to have a complete picture.

The following features show why we believe this beast sym-

bolizes the United States:

Time:

"When the first beast was going into captivity in

1798 . . . the United States was growing into prominence and

power. The nation arose, not in the Old World, with its teeming

multitudes, but in the New World, with its relatively few inhabi-

tants."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 820.

Place:

It came up out of the earth, and not from the sea

as did the other beasts. Since the sea represents peoples, the

earth may point out a scarcely populated territory, like the U.S.

in its early years.

Two lamblike horns:

The two horns, uncrowned, could be

the two special features of the United States government: (1)

a government without a king, a republican government; and (2)

a church without a pope—separation of church and state. This

ensures the two main human liberties—civil and religious.

"It has been shown that the United States is the power repre-

sented by the beast with lamblike horns."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

p. 579.

In what way was this earth beast changed? Verses 13-17.

The United States has fulfilled—and continues to fulfill—the

role of a lamblike beast. To its shores have come persecuted

men and women from all parts of the world to seek refuge.

But according to prophecy a sad change will come. Review the

following points:

(1) It will speak as a dragon, and a dragon is a persecuting

power (v. 11). (2) It exercises all the power of the sea beast

(Rome); it uses the same forceful methods to impose religious

practices (v. 12). (3) It causes everybody to worship the sea

beast (v. 12). (4) It says to the inhabitants of the earth that they

should make an image to the sea beast. If the sea beast (Rome)

is a church united to a state that persecutes people, an image

should be something similar—apostate Protestantism using

the civil power of the state to enforce religion (v. 14). (5) It

gives life to the image of the beast; the state will support the

dictates of apostate Christianity (v. 15). (6) It causes all to re-

ceive the mark of the beast; it imposes Sunday observance

(v. 16). (7) It causes conditions so that no one can buy or sell ex-

cept the one who has the mark; it abolishes the most elemental

freedoms; it suspends some individual rights (v. 16). (8) It

pronounces a death decree against all who do not worship

Rome (v. 15).

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 578-581.

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Wednesday

April 25



Part 4



What are the results of not receiving the mark of the beast?

THE MARK OF



THE BEAST



"He [the lamblike beast—the United States] causeth all,

both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive

a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no

man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name

of the beast [Rome], or the number of his name" (Rev. 13:

16, 17).

What is the mark of the beast?

"Mark.

Gr.

charagma,

'an impress,' a stamp,' a mark.' This

is evidently some badge of loyalty to the beast, some special

feature that denotes that the one displaying such a mark wor-

ships the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed (v. 8).

Adventist interpreters understand this mark to be not a literal

brand but some sign of allegiance that identifies the bearer as

loyal to the power represented by the beast. The controversy at

that time will center on the law of God, and particularly on the

fourth command (see on ch. 14:12). Hence the observance of

Sunday will constitute such a sign, but only at the time when the

beast's power will be revived and Sunday observance becomes

a matter of compliance with civil law. Adventists hold that simul-

taneously the third angel's message will warn against the recep-

tion of the mark (ch. 14:9-11). This message, swelling into a

loud cry (ch. 18:1-4), will enlighten men as to the issues in-

volved. When the issues are thus clearly before them, and men

nevertheless choose •to support an institution of the beast,

knowing it to be in direct opposition to the command of God,

they thereby show their allegiance to the power and receive

the mark of the beast."—S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

p. 822.

"In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided

into two great classes—those who keep the commandments of

God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast

and his image and receive his mark."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 450.

"The warfare against God's law, which was begun in heaven,

will be continued until the end of time. Every man will be

tested. Obedience or disobedience is the-question to be de-

cided by the whole world. All will be called to choose between

the law of God and the laws of men. Here the dividing line will

be drawn."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 763.

The establishment of a national Sunday law in the U.S. will

be followed by similar laws throughout the world.

"As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the

papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor

the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will

be led to follow her

example."—Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 18.



THINK IT THROUGH



Read Revelation 15:2, 3.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 449, 450, 605.



Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Thursday

April 26



Part 5



What triple union does Revelation foretell?

THE TRIPLE



UNION



"I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth

of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the

mouth of the false prophet" (Rev. 16:13).

Identification of the three confederated powers: (1)

The

dragon

is in essence Satan himself. In Revelation 12 the dragon

also represents the Roman Empire acting under the leadership

of the devil. In chapter 16 the dragon is doubtless Satan operat-

ing through spiritualism, used by Satan to promote his aims and

to unite the other powers, since from the mouth of the three—

the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet—there came out

spirits of devils (Rev. 16:14). (2)

The beast

is Rome, the papacy,

the first beast of Revelation 13. (3)

The false prophet

is the same

power as "the image of the beast" of Revelation 13—the apos-

tate and confederate Protestantism.

"When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to

grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over

the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the

influence of this threefold union, our country [the U.S.] shall

repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and

republican government, and shall make provision for the propa-

gation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know

that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and

that the end is

near."—Testimonies,

vol. 5, p. 451.

"Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul

and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his

deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritual-

ism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The

Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching

their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism;

they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman

power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this

country [the U.S.] will follow in the steps of Rome in tram-

pling on the rights of conscience."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 588.

What will be the end of these persecuting powers? Rev. 19:

19, 20; 20:10.



THING IT THROUGH



What relation do these future events have to my daily life

today?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 588;

Testimonies,

vol. 5,

pp. 449-454.

Symbols of Persecuting Powers

LESSON 4



❑

Friday

April 27

Part 6

THE TRIUM-

PHANT CHILD

OF GOD

How does Paul sum up the many afflictions and persecu-

tions of his life?

"Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I

suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers,

in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in

perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the

sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and pain-

fulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings

often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 11:24-27).

The account of these tribulations of Paul provides encour-

agement to the children of God who will have to suffer for their

dear Master.

Never did Paul show a rebellious attitude against God or a

bitter spirit; but he counted it as a privilege to suffer for the

sake of the truth. He always kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, the

Author and Finisher of his faith. This promise of God kept

ringing in his ears, "My grace is sufficient for thee," and the

apostle went ahead as a conqueror, always with a triumphant

mood.

In spite of all these vicissitudes, how did Paul view his

ministry? What did he consider to be the secret of success?

2 Cor. 2:14, 15.

Honoring his conviction about his final victory, what were

the last words of Paul before his martyrdom? 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

"Inspiration has preserved for us his dying testimony. Like a

trumpet peal his voice has rung out through all the ages since,

nerving with his own courage thousands of witnesses for Christ

and wakening in thousands of sorrow-stricken hearts the echo

of his own triumphant joy."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 513.



THINK IT THROUGH



What are some reasons why God showed us in advance

what these apostate powers were going to do?



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 576, 577.

LESSON 5 April 29 to May 5

"Watch ye therefore: for ye know

not when the master of the house

cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at

the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

lest coming suddenly he find you

sleeping" (Mark 13:35, 36).

This solemn appeal applies in a very

specific way to our days. It refers, not

to the physical appearance of Christ

at His second coming, but to the end

of the investigative judgment and the

time of grace. (See

Testimonies,

vol. 2, p. 190.) These events mark

the beginning of the time of trouble.

After that moment there will be no

more possibility of forgiveness and

acceptance by God.

"Solemn are the scenes connected

with the closing work of the

atonement. Momentous are the

interests involved therein. The

judgment is now passing in the

sanctuary above. For many years

this work has been in progress. Soon

—none know how soon—it will pass

to the cases of the living. In the awful

presence of God our lives are to come

up in review. At this time above all

others it behooves every soul to heed

the Saviour's admonition: 'Watch and

pray: for ye know not when the

time is.' Mark 13:33."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 490.

We do not know when the

judgment will turn from the dead to

the living, but we know that when that

hour arrives, none need fear who are

abiding in Christ.

This week and next we will study

one of the most difficult periods the

church of God will pass through. By

that time most Bible prophecies will

have been fulfilled, the proclamation

of the gospel will have been finished,

the shaking and the sealing will have

occurred, and the latter rain will

have fallen.

During the time of trouble the seven

last plagues fall on the impenitent

while the children of God are

protected. The four angels have

released the winds of strife, giving

free rein to nature and men to cast

off the restraint of law. The plagues

descend unmixed with God's mercy

and without the restricting influence

of the Holy Spirit.

The persecution, which will have

commenced during the time of

probation with the imposing of the

Sunday laws, will become more severe

during this period, reaching maximum

fierceness with the death decree.

But that decree will not be carried

out, because at the date set for the

execution, God will liberate His

people amidst a tremendous display

of natural phenomena and fearful

manifestations of His anger. Under

the sixth and seventh plagues

Armageddon occurs.

Although the faithful will not suffer

the plagues and will be miraculously

fed, guarded, and protected, they will

nevertheless go through a double

ordeal: (1) physical hardship because

the persecution will force them to

flee from all centers of population;

(2) mental anguish, because of their

concern about the forgiveness of all

their sins. But finally peace and

tranquillity take the place of anxiety.

Only those who have received the

refreshing and have been sealed are

in a condition to pass safely through

this stormy hour, standing firmly

to welcome the Lord Jesus at His

second coming.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Definition

(Dan. 12:1)

The Time: Beginning and End

(Rev. 22:11)

Jacob's Dramatic Experience

(Gen. 32:24-29)

Mental and Physical Anguish

(Jer. 30:7)

Purpose

(Mal. 3:2, 3)

Our Only Safety During the

Trouble (Rev. 3:18, 19)

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Sunday

April 29

Part 1

DEFINITION

THINK IT THROUGH

What is Daniel's description of the time of trouble?

"At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which

standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a

time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation

even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be

delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book"

(Dan. 12:1).

Here inspiration opens before us a dark episode in the long

controversy between good and evil, namely, the time of trouble.

"At that time"—that is to say, at the time of the end of human

history—the last scenes of Daniel 11 are occurring. Then

"Michael ... the great prince [Jesus Christ; see Jude 9; 1 Thess.

4:16; John 5:25; Rev. 12:17] which standeth for the children of

thy people," leaves His intercessory duties on behalf of the chil-

dren of God. He "stands up" and arises to deliver His people

because "there shall be a time of trouble."

Although this trouble is the most severe that has happened in

human history, the promise is that "at that time thy people shall

be delivered."

What warning and promise made to Judah will also be ful-

filled in the time of trouble? Jer. 30:7.

"When He [Christ] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers

the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous

must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The

restraint that has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan

has entire control of the finally impenitent. God's long-suffering

has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love,

and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the bound-

ary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted,

has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they

have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge

the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As

the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of

human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The

whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that

which came upon Jerusalem of old."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 614.

Should we worry about events in the future? If Jesus is

sufficient to save us now, will He not prove to be sufficient for

our needs then?

"We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages.

. . . The angel of mercy cannot remain much longer to shelter

the impenitent."—Prophets

and Kings,

p. 278.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 613, 614.

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Monday

April 30



Part



What

decree

fixes human destinies?

THE TIME:



BEGINNING



"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is

AND END filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be

righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" (Rev.

22:11).

"An angel returning from the earth announces that his work

is done; the final test has been brought upon the world, and all

who have proved themselves loyal to the divine precepts have

received 'the seal of the living God.' Then Jesus ceases His

intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His hands and with

a loud voice says, 'It is done;' and all the angelic host lay off

their crowns as He makes the solemn announcement: 'He that

is unjust, let him be unjust still.' .



. Every case has been

decided for life or death."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 613.

When does the time of trouble end?

Although no one knows exactly what the duration of the time

of trouble will be, we infer that it will be short. And at the

appointed time the deliverance will come just shortly before

the actual appearance of Jesus.

Said the servant of the Lord: "Satan's host and wicked men

will surround them [the saints], and exult over them, because

there will seem to be no way of escape for them. But in the midst

of their revelry and triumph, there is heard peal upon peal of

the loudest thunder. The heavens have gathered blackness, and

are only illuminated by the blazing light and terrible glory from

heaven, as God utters His voice from His holy habitation.

"The foundations of the earth shake; buildings totter and fall

with a terrible crash. The sea boils like a pot, and the whole

earth is in terrible commotion. The captivity of the righteous is

turned, and with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one

another: 'We are delivered. It is the voice of God.'

"—Testi-

monies,

vol. 1, p. 354.

THINK IT THROUGH

"The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,

because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" (Rev.

12:12).

Commenting on this, Ellen White wrote: "Fearful are the

scenes which call forth this exclamation from the heavenly

voice. The wrath of Satan increases as his

time grows short,

and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination

in the time of trouble."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 623.

What is the only effective shelter against "deceit and de-

struction"? Rev. 12:10, 11.

FURTHER STUDY



Prophets and Kings,

pp. 275-278.

4-A.L. 2-79

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Tuesday

May 1



Part 3



Analyze the experience of Jacob at Padan-aram. Gen.

JACOB'S 32:24-29.

DRAMATIC



EXPERIENCE



"Jacob's experience during that night of wrestling and an-

guish represents the trial through which the people of God must

pass just before Christ's second

coming."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

p. 201.

To what portion of the time of trouble at large does the ex-

pression "the time of Jacob's trouble" especially apply?

"They [the wicked] thought that we [the righteous] had

brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could

rid the earth of us, the plagues would be stayed. A decree

went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and

night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble.

Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were

delivered by the voice of

God."—Early Writings,

pp. 36, 37.

From this paragraph we may draw two conclusions: (1) the

"time of Jacob's trouble" embraces the period which extends

from the announcement of the death decree to the liberation;

(2) the period begins after the plagues have started to fall.

What are the two characteristics of the night of Jacob's

wrestling that apply to the time of trouble? Read today's text

again.

THINK IT THROUGH

Jacob experienced anguish because of the material situa-

tion which confronted him. His brother was coming against him

with 400 armed men, apparently with intentions of revenge.

Per-

secution

is symbolized here.

Jacob felt

intense mental anguish

in his struggle with God

in prayer because he was not sure his sins had been forgiven.

The only road to real revival, reformation, and victory is

persevering and fervent, secret prayer. Are you entering into

this experience? (See

Selected Messages,

bk. 1, p. 344.)

While Jacob was humiliating his soul before God and crying

for mercy and surety of forgiveness, the Angel appeared. Deep

into the night the patriarch continued to wrestle physically

for his life. But as soon as he discovered that this stranger

was the Angel of God, he clung to Him with persevering faith

claiming His blessing; and he was blessed with peace and

assurance. By a fervent experience of secret prayer, confession,

and commitment the forgiveness was assured, the victory was

won, and his character as well as his name was changed.

FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 195-203.

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Wednesday

May 2



Part 4



What Old Testament text gives symbolic meaning to

MENTAL AND Jacob's experience?

PHYSICAL



ANGUISH



"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even

the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it"

(Jer. 30:7).

Jacob, during his night of trouble, experienced the physical

anguish of persecution and the mental anguish of uncertainty

concerning the forgiveness of his sins. The saints will also

suffer these two kinds of trouble.

Persecution.

"As the decree issued by the various rulers

of Christendom against the commandment keepers shall with-

draw the protection of government and abandon them to those

who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the

cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwell-

ing in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find

refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians

of the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of

the earth their sanctuaries and will thank God for 'the munitions

of rocks.' Isaiah 33:16. But many of all nations and of all classes,

high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into

the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass

weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced

to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and

loathsome dungeons."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 626.

We will see in the next lesson that in all of this trouble

every child of God will be under divine protection. His life will

be preserved and his basic needs satisfied until the deliverance.

Mental anguish.

"Though God's people will be surrounded

by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish

which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth's

sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that

through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the ful-

fillment of the Saviour's promise. . . .

". . . Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not

immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety,

terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They

lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel."

—The Great Controversy,

pp. 619, 620.

But like Jacob, they have confessed their sins and soon re-

cover their peace and joy in the Lord.



THINK IT THROUGH



What do we need to do now, while probationary time

lingers, in order to be finally liberated in that day of spiritual

anxiety? (Read

The Great Controversy,

p. 620.)



FURTHER STUDY



Patriarchs and Prophets,

pp. 201-203.

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Thursday

May 3



Part 5



In the light of Malachi 3:2, 3, what is the purpose of God in

PURPOSE permitting His people to experience trouble and distress?

"Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand

when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like

fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:

and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold

and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in

righteousness" (Mal. 3:2, 3).

The spirit of prophecy applies the figures from this passage

to the experience of God's people in the time of trouble.

"The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his delu-

sions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His

ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames

of the furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will

bring them forth as gold tried in the fire. God's love for His

children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and

tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is need-

ful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness

must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly

reflected."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 621.

At the time of these experiences the saints have already been

sealed. Still they need to continue to grow and be perfected

through patience and suffering. Their faith needs to become

stronger, their character more similar to that of the great Model.

"The people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized

with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best

answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait trustingly

for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith, hope, and

patience, which have been too little exercised during their reli-

gious experience."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 630, 631.



THINK IT THROUGH



What relation is there between tribulations in our life now

and the severest of all afflictions, the time of trouble?

"Those who exercise but little faith now, are in the greatest

danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions and the

decree to compel the conscience. And even if they endure the

test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the

time of trouble, because they have never made it a habit to trust

in God. The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will

be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discourage-

ment."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 622.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 622, 623.

The Time of Trouble-1

LESSON 5



❑

Friday

May 4

Part 6

OUR ONLY

SAFETY

DURING THE

TROUBLE

THINK IT THROUGH

In what sense is the counsel of the True Witness the only

effective preparation for the time of trouble?

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou

mayest

rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be

clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

. . . Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:18, 19).

Gold:

faith and love, the fruits of the Spirit.

White raiment:

the imputed righteousness of Christ, or for-

giveness and cleansing from sin; and the imparted righteous-

ness of Christ, His pure and perfect character reproduced in us

by faith.

Eyesalve:

wisdom and insight in order to recognize sin under

any disguise. In other words, a sensitive conscience led by

the Holy Spirit. (See

Selected Messages,

bk. 1, p. 358, on above

interpretations.)

These three elements will finish the work of sealing our lives,

making us ready for the time of Jacob's trouble and for trans-

lation at Christ's coming.

"The season of distress before God's people will call for

a faith that will not falter. His children must make it manifest

that He is the only object of their worship, and that no consider-

ation, not even that of life itself, can induce them to make the

least concession to false worship. To the loyal heart the com-

mands of sinful, finite men will sink into insignificance beside

the word of the eternal God. Truth will be obeyed though the

result be imprisonment or exile or death.

"As in the days of Shad rach, Meshach, and Abednego, so in

the closing period of earth's history the Lord will work mightily

in behalf of those who stand steadfastly for the right. He who

walked with the Hebrew worthies in the fiery furnace will be

with His followers wherever they are. His abiding presence will

comfort and sustain. In the midst of the time of trouble—trouble

such as has not been since therewas a nation—His chosen ones

will stand unmoved. Satan with all the hosts of evil cannot

destroy the weakest of God's saints. Angels that excel in

strength will protect them, and in their behalf Jehovah will

reveal Himself as a 'God of gods,' able to save to the uttermost

those who have put their trust in

Him."—Prophets and Kings,

pp. 512, 513.

Christ, His righteousness, and the Holy Spirit—the remedies

offered by Jesus to the Laodiceans—are the only answer to

our greatest need today as children of God. Am I buying daily

from the heavenly Physician these effective medicines? How

do I go about "buying" them?

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 650-652.

LESSON 6 May 6-12

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed

is he that watcheth, and keepeth

his garments, lest he walk naked, and

they see his shame" (Rev. 16:15).

These inspired words apply to the

close of the investigative judgment

and the period of grace. Both will

terminate at an unexpected time. To

this special moment the prophecy of

Daniel 12:1 also refers when it says,

"There shall be a time of trouble,

such as never was." Also Revelation

22:11 points to this specific hour,

since when it comes, "he that is

unjust" continues to be unjust, and

"he that is righteous" continues to

be righteous.

The most important point about the

time of trouble is not to understand

completely all the facts; but rather,

to have a firm, true faith in Jesus

that will enable us to pass through

that ominous time safely. Those who

have a faith in Jesus that leads them

to obey Him will be protected fully

from the seven last plagues, sealed

by the seal of the living God for

eternal salvation and covered

completely by the beautiful and

perfect garment of the righteousness

of Christ.

The only key to victory is to have

a heart cleansed by the blood of

Jesus. This lesson seeks to confront

us with our vital need of acquiring

the personal Christian experience of

one whose life "is hid with Christ in

God" (Col. 3:3) so that nothing can

affect him or change his glorious

destination.

This is even more important in

view of the fact that the end of

probation is very near, and it will come

unexpectedly, even to the children of

God.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Seven Last Plagues

(Revelation 16)

Protection and Care of God

(Ps. 91:1, 2, 15)

No More Mediator: No More

Probation (Rev. 15:8; 8:5)

Unexpectedness of the Time

(Rev. 16:15)

The Sealed

(Eze. 14:20)

Key to Success

(Rev. 12:11)

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Sunday

May 6

Part 1

THE SEVEN

LAST PLAGUES

THINK IT THROUGH

Read Revelation 16.

What is the main point of each one of the seven plagues?

These last plagues are similar in nature to the plagues of

Egypt but are much more terrible and destructive. They fall on

the wicked "just before the final deliverance of God's people.

. . . Terrible as these inflictions are, God's justice stands fully

vindicated. The angel of God declares: 'Thou art righteous, 0

Lord, ... because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the

blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood

to drink; for they are worthy.' Revelation 16:2-6."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 628.

The falling of the plagues takes place during the time when

the temple in heaven is pictured as closed and filled with smoke.

(See Rev. 15:8.) "It was impossible for the plagues to be poured

out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as His work there

is finished, and His intercession closes, there is nothing to stay

the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless

head of the guilty sinner, who has slighted salvation and hated

reproof."—Early

Writings,

p. 280.

"These plagues are not universal, or the inhabitants of the

earth would be wholly cut off. Yet they will be the most awful

scourges that have ever been known to mortals. All the judg-

ments upon men, prior to the close of probation, have been

mingled with mercy. The pleading blood of Christ has shielded

the sinner from receiving the full measure of his guilt; but in the

final judgment wrath is poured out unmixed with mercy."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 628, 629.

The duration will be brief. If the word "day" mentioned in

Revelation 18:8 is prophetic time (Eze. 4:6), it may be reasoned

that the plagues will last for one year. Except for this passage,

neither the Bible nor the spirit of prophecy makes any reference

to the length of the period. The

S.D.A. Bible Commentary

suggests that the words of the original "stress suddenness and

unexpectedness rather than duration."—Volume 7, p. 863.

"A book has been given us to guide our feet through the

perils of this dark world to heaven. It tells us how we can

escape the wrath of God, and also tells of the sufferings of

Christ for us, the great sacrifice that has been made that we

might be saved and enjoy the presence of God forever.... The

word of God tells us how we may become perfect Christians

and escape the seven last plagues."—Testimonies,

vol.

pp. 125, 126.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 627-629.

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Monday

May 7



Part 2



"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall

PROTECTION abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,

AND CARE He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."



OF GOD



"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with

him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him" (Ps. 91:1, 2,

15).

"The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while

persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation and

suffer for want of food, they will not be left to perish. That God

who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of His self-sacrificing

children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for

them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 629.

What promises are given to those who must endure the

seven last plagues? Isa. 33:16; Ps. 37:19.

"By this promise [Isa. 33:16] the children of God will live.

When the earth shall be wasted with famine, they shall be fed.

[Ps. 37:19 quoted.] To that time of distress the prophet Habak-

kuk looked forward, and his words express the faith of the

church: [Flab. 3:17, 18 quoted]."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 122.

"While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence,

angels will shield the righteous and supply their wants. To him

that 'walketh righteously' is the promise: 'Bread shall be given

him; his waters shall be sure.' When the poor and needy seek

water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the

Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.'

Isaiah 33:15, 16; 41:17."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 629.

The angels will minister to God's children during that time.

"In the time of trouble just before the coming of Christ, the

righteous will be preserved through the ministration of

heavenly angels; but there will be no security for the transgres-

sor of God's law. Angels cannot then protect those who are

disregarding one of the divine precepts."—Patriarchs

and

Prophets,

p. 256.



THINK IT THROUGH



What do I need to do now in order to be protected by the holy

angels during the seven plagues? Does Revelation 18:4 have

any application to us as Seventh-day Adventists?

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

p. 71.

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Tuesday

May 8



Part 3



What is the meaning of the following biblical symbols?

NO MORE



MEDIATOR;



"The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God,

NO MORE and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the

PROBATION temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were ful-

filled" (Rev. 15:8).

"The angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar,

and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunder-

ings, and lightnings, and an earthquake" (Rev. 8:5).

Revelation 15:8 states that

"no man

was able to enter into the

temple." In other words, nobody will have access to the mercy

seat, because mediation has ceased. The censer which sym-

bolizes the mediatorial work of Jesus is represented as thrown

to the earth by an angel, signifying that the ministry of Christ has

ceased.

At the beginning of the time of trouble the decree of Revela-

tion 22:11 is announced in heaven.

"When He [Christ] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the

inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must

live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. . . . The

world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled

upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their

probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at

last withdrawn."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 614.

Ellen White gives the following description of the end of the

time of grace:

"An angel returning from the earth announces that his [seal-

ing] work is done; the final test has been brought upon the

world, and all who have proved themselves loyal to the divine

precepts have received 'the seal of the living God.' Then Jesus

ceases His intercession in the sanctuary above. He lifts His

hands and with a loud voice says, 'It is done;' and all the angelic

host lay off their crowns as He makes the solemn announce-

ment: 'He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: ... and he that is

righteous, let him be righteous still....' Revelation 22:11. Every

case has been decided for life or death."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

p. 613.

THINK IT THROUGH

Jeremiah 8:20 depicts the saddest of all exclamations found

in the Bible: "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and

we are not saved." Now is the time to prevent that awful

experience, when the opportunity is still ours.

What considerations make our preparation for the future

urgent?

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 8, pp. 314, 315.

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Wednesday

May 9



Part 4



What is the admonition of Jesus regarding readiness for the

UNEXPECTEDNESS end of the time of grace?

OF THE TIME

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and

keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his

shame" (Rev. 16:15).

It is always an unhappy experience to receive a very loved and

respected visitor at home without the necessary preparation.

We like to have everything in order—the house clean, the beds

made, the yard neat. We consider preparation for a human

visitor very important. How much more vital it is that we be ready

spiritually when the Lord leaves the sanctuary and takes off His

intercessory garment to put on His royal garb in preparation for

His coming back to earth.

What counsel did Christ give to the disciples about readi-

ness? Matt. 24:42, 44.

"Come when it may, the day of God will come unawares to the

ungodly. When life is going on in its unvarying round; when men

are absorbed in pleasure, in business, in traffic, in money-

making; when religious leaders are magnifying the world's

progress and enlightment, and the people are lulled in a false

security—then, as the midnight thief steals within the un-

guarded dwelling, so shall sudden destruction come upon the

careless and ungodly, 'and they shall not escape.'

"—The Great

Controversy,

p. 38.

What is the meaning of the question of Jesus recorded in

the last part of Luke 18:8?

"The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of

the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete

fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the

prophecies will take

place."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 14.

"As the approach of the Roman armies was a sign to the

disciples of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, so may

this apostasy [Sunday legislation, the threefold alliance, and the

repudiation of the principles of the American Constitution] be a

sign to us that the limit of God's forbearance is reached, that the

measure of our nation's iniquity is full, and that the angel of

mercy is about to take her flight, never to

return."—Testimonies,

vol. 5, p. 451.



THINK IT THROUGH



"The 'time of trouble, such as never was,' is soon to open

upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not

now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 622.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 621-623.

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Thursday

May 10

Part 5

THE SEALED

How important is personal preparation to meet the Lord?

What will be the only credential valid to be counted with the

victors in the great day of reckoning?

"Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the

Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they

shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness" (Eze.

14:20).

In connection with this passage Ellen White remarks, "In that

time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 622.

The only thing that will count in that day will be the personal,

individual experience and spiritual preparation.

Who will be the only ones to be delivered and to sing the great

song of victory? Only the 144,000 sealed with the seal of the

living God will be ready to go unharmed through the time of

trouble. Only those who, by the grace of God, and by a close

daily relationship with Christ, have attained a victorious experi-

ence will sing the song of triumph and will finally inherit the

kingdom.

"Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it

were mingled with fire,—so resplendent is it with the glory of

God,—are gathered the company that have 'gotten the victory

over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over

the number of his name.' With the Lamb upon Mount Zion,

'having the harps of God,' they stand, the hundred and forty and

four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there

is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a

great thunder, 'the voice of harpers harping with their harps.'

And they sing 'a new song' before the throne, a song which no

man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It

is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance.

None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that

song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such

as no other company have ever had. 'These are they which

follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.' These, having been

translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as

'the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.' Revelation 15:2, 3;

14:1-5. 'These are they which came out of great tribulation;' they

have passed through the time of trouble such as never was

since there was a nation."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 648,

649.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I have the characteristics of the 144,000 and be

sealed?

Is this a prerogative of just a few, or is it open to every

Christian?



FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 15, 16, 19, 37.

The Time of Trouble-2

LESSON 6



❑

Friday

May 11

Part 6



What is the only key to success in our hard conflict with the

KEY TO enemy?

SUCCESS

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 12:11).

Christ and His sacrifice, Christ and the power of His spilled

'blood, is the only hope for us weak, sinful human creatures.

That blood does two things for us: (1) It allows us to have

forgiveness and complete cleansing from all sin; (2) it gives us

power to overcome sin and be sanctified. Only by unity with

Jesus, a personal contact with Him, maintained day after day

and moment after moment, will we be able to succeed.

What is the Christian to do with his sins? 1 John 1:7-9.

Sometimes there is a tendency for Christians to consider that

repentance, confession, and forgiveness are isolated acts that

happen at the beginning of the Christian life. It is not so. Rather,

they are a continual experience. As the soul has a closer contact

with Christ and His light illuminates the heart, the Christian

becomes progressively aware of selfishness and defects of

character. Under the work of the Holy Spirit he finds it always

necessary to avail himself of the imputed righteousness of

Christ.

But at the same time the Christian grows, and by the grace of

God through the work of the Holy Spirit he gains spiritual vic-

tories.

Read the following promises of victory over sin and of

sanctification. Jude 24; 2 Peter 1:14; Phil. 4:13.

"We have little idea of the strength that would be ours if we

would connect with the source of all strength. We fall into sin

again and again, and think it must always be so. We cling to our

infirmities as if they were something to be proud of. Christ tells

us that we must set our face as a flint if we would overcome.

He has borne our sins in His own body on the tree; and through

the power He has given us, we may resist the world, the flesh,

and the devil. Then let us not talk of our weakness and ineffi-

ciency, but of Christ and His strength."—Messages

to Young

People,

p. 105.

THINK IT THROUGH

"Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for

the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to

make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are

united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God

reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold

upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of

character."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 123.

FURTHER STUDY



The Desire of Ages,

pp. 311, 312.

LESSON 7 May 13-19

"The serpent said unto the woman,

Ye shall not surely die: for God doth

know that in the day ye eat

thereof, then your eyes shall be

opened, and ye shall be as gods,

knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:4, 5).

This week we begin to study one of

the most popular and subtle

deceptions that the enemy will use in

the last days. Spiritualism will be one

of the three big elements in the

ungodly confederacy that will make

the final, desperate attack against

God, the truth, and the church.

According to Revelation 16:13, 14 the

three ungodly powers are the dragon

(spiritualism and allied activities), the

beast (the papacy), and the false

prophet (the united Protestantism

that will apostatize).

This power—spiritualism—will be

so deceptive as to trap, if possible,

the very elect. Only those who are

well-grounded in the Bible and who

have a living experience with God

will be able to stand this attack of

the devil.

Spiritualism and the occult are so

varied, comprising so many activities,

organizations, and methods, that many

careless children of God will be

misled, especially because these

different aspects appear to have no

relationship with each other.

Spiritualism wears different labels

in order to adapt itself to all kinds

of people, from the superstitious

and uneducated to the highly

cultured, and from the atheist to the

highly religious.

There is only one way of detecting

error—by the Holy Scriptures and the

truths it presents in order to unmask

deception. There is only one method

of preventing our being confused by

spiritualism and of our falling into

the hands of the great deceiver: a

close contact with Christ through a

conscientious study of the Bible and

secret prayer, thus ensuring the

indwelling of the Holy Spirit to

guide us into all truth.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Origin of Spiritualism

(Gen. 3:1-6)

Later Manifestations

(Luke 8:26-39; Acts 8:9;

13:8; 16:16-18)

Who the Spirits Are

(Eph. 6:11, 12)

Goal of Spiritualism

(1 Peter 5:8)

Spirit Communication and

Christianity (1 John 4:1)

The Source of True Knowledge

(Matt. 11:28-30)

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



❑

Sunday

May 13

Part 1

ORIGIN OF

SPIRITUALISM

THINK IT THROUGH

Read carefully Genesis 3:1-6 and by imagination reproduce

the story of the first deception.

The Garden of Eden was the scene of the first great satanic

deception. The devil disguised himself as a beautiful serpent.

He began the dialogue by asking a misleading question. He

formulated the great lie of the ages—"Ye shall not surely die."

He made a false promise—"Ye shall be as gods." He tempted

Eve, showing her that the fruit was appetizing and good for

food, and made her believe that she would gain wisdom. As in

Eden, so also today it is deadly dangerous to put aside the clear

commandment of God and to dialogue with the evil forces of

darkness.

What are some of the names by which spiritualism was

known during Old Testament times? Deut. 18:10, 11.

Note two cases of spirit communication recorded in the

Bible in 1 Samuel 28 and 2 Kings 1:1-4.

In the story of Saul and the witch of Endor, the person whom

the woman saw could not have been Samuel. Samuel was dead

and "the dead know not anything" (Eccl. 9:5). Further, "a com-

munication from Samuel, speaking as a prophet, would indi-

rectly be a communication from God, and it is expressly stated

that the Lord refused to communicate with Saul (1 Sam.

28:6)."-S.D.A.

Bible Commentary,

vol. 2, p. 587. This early

spiritualistic séance had all the characteristics of the modern

ones.

What is the character of Satan? John 8:44.

Tempting as the promises of spiritualism are, they all come

from the great liar and lead into final destruction. To resort to

spiritualism and the occult to find answers to the problems of

life, is to put oneself in the hands of Satan. His sole purpose is to

deceive in order to destroy body and soul.

What was the punishment for spiritualistic activities in Is-

rael? Lev. 20:6, 27.

"Side by side with the preaching of the gospel, agencies are

at work which are but the medium of lying spirits. Many a man

tampers with these merely from curiosity, but seeing evi-

dence of the working of a more than human power, he is lured

on and on, until he is controlled by a will stronger than his own.

He cannot escape from its mysterious power."—The

Desire of

Ages,

p. 258.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 531-534.

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



❑

Monday

May 14

Part 2



Note these manifestations of the work of evil spirits re-

LATER corded in the New Testament: Luke 8:26-39; Acts 8:9; 13:8;

MANIFESTATIONS 16:16-18.

"The fact that men have been possessed with demons, is

clearly stated in the New Testament. The persons thus afflicted

were not merely suffering with disease from natural causes.

Christ had perfect understanding of that with which He was

dealing, and He recognized the direct presence and agency of

evil spirits."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 514.

Where and when did modern spiritualism begin?

During the month of March in 1848 the peaceful village of

Hydesville, New York, was disturbed by strange happenings in

the home of the Fox family. As a result of responding to noises

and rappings of undetermined origin, the two daughters of the

family became mediums. Soon the practice of spiritualism in its

new form spread like an epidemic over the United States, then

to England and to the rest of Europe and the Americas.

Spiritualism has gone, since 1848, through a remarkable

evolution in its forms. It has accommodated its methods to the

nature and culture of the people. Today a wide variety of forms

under very different names coexist in our world.

There are the primitive forms that prevail in the pagan coun-

tries. There are also the magic and sorcery that appeal to the

uneducated people, not only of primitive cultures, but also of

some more sophisticated countries. There is, too, the spiritual-

ism practiced among higher classes of society, within beauti-

ful and luxurious halls. Then there is the religious kind of spiri-

tualism, with meetings in which prayers are offered and hymns

are sung. Some kinds of speaking in tongues and healing

meetings are spiritualistic. On the other hand, spiritualism has

appeared under a scientific label in the universities under the

name "parapsychology." Also astrology and fortune-telling

have the same origin. Some of the phenomena that appear in

the deeper level of hypnotism may be devil-produced. New

manifestations of spiritualism may appear from time to time.

What is the divine counsel regarding any communication

with the spirits? Isa. 8:19.

THINK IT THROUGH

"As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Chris-

tianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare.

Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things.

... And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, ...their

work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 588.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 511-517.

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



❑

Tuesday

May 15

Part 3

WHO THE

SPIRITS ARE

Against what spiritual forces does Paul warn?

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to

stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against

flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against

spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:11, 12).

The rebel angels who followed Lucifer in his war against God,

and who are the spiritual evil forces causing all the strange

manifestations of spiritualism, were expelled from heaven

along with their captain, Satan. But they still keep many of their

former characteristics and powers. This is why they can do

many things that seem to go against the laws of nature and that

no science can explain. Nevertheless, their power is limited to

boundaries established by God, especially in dealing with His

children.

They can appear as forms imitating deceased people. They

can transmit information unknown to the mediums and the

receivers. They manifest themselves as apparitions or ghosts.

They cause rappings, instruments to play by themselves, mes-

sages to be written without hand, people to be taken mysteri-

ously from one place to a distant place in a short time. Also they

cause persons or heavy objects to be elevated in the air without

human aid (telekinesis), and mediums to speak with another

voice. Many other things which we do not have room to describe

here are part of modern spiritualism.

What does the Word of God say about the ability of de-

ceased people to participate in the affairs of this world? Ecci.

9:5, 6.

Since the evil spirits who are the cause of all the spiritualistic

phenomena pretend to be the spirits of the dead, it is evident

that they are liars. Allan Kardec, an apostle of spiritualism,

admits that "communications that are received from the spirits

may be ... true or false, ... according to the nature of the spirit

that presents itself." "Lying spirits may be erratic." "There are

some [spirits] that are satisfied with being trifling and mischiev-

ous, while others are liars and deceivers."—Que

es el es-

piritismo? (What Is Spiritism?),

p. 88.

El Evangelio segOn el

espiritismo (The Gospel According to Spiritism),

p. 193;

Quo es

el espiritismo,

p. 84. (Read John 8:44; Rev. 12:7-9.)

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 556.

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



❑

Wednesday

May 16



Part 4



What is the devil's main objective?

GOAL OF



SPIRITUALISM



"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as

a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

(1 Peter 5:8).

Satan is always trying to conquer the human mind and the will

so as to destroy the person. In order to achieve this goal he uses

deceit. Even his wonders are "lying wonders."

What great wonders does John prophesy will be performed

to deceive the world in the last days? Rev. 13:13, 14.

THINK IT THROUGH

It is evidently through the power of the evil spirits, with whom

it will be allied (Rev. 16:13, 14), that the second beast of Revela-

tion 13 "doeth great wonders."

Consider how every miracle of the evil spirits is done in order

to deceive:

They impersonate deceased human beings, making people

believe that they are actually communicating with spirits of the

dead.

They imitate the voices and appearance of deceased persons.

They reveal many secrets.

They convey information by extrasensory means.

In the future the devil will add to these deceptions attempts to

impersonate Christ Himself (Matt. 24:23-27), and he will even

endeavor to imitate the second coming of Christ.

All this is done to convince the human mind that these evil

spirits are the true spirits of the dead and that spiritualism is an

authentic way of communicating with deceased persons.

As in the Garden of Eden, the devil is fighting to conquer the

human mind and the will in order to lead men and women to

perdition.

What is the difference in the way in which God and Satan

endeavor to gain the human heart? What is the ultimate con-

sequence of heeding the voice of Christ through the Holy

Spirit as He knocks at the door of the heart instead of following

the deceiver? (See Rev. 3:20; Mark 5:1-5; Deut. 30:19.)

"God never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan's

constant resort—to gain control of those whom he cannot

otherwise seduce—is compulsion by cruelty."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

p. 591.

FURTHER STUDY



Prophets and Kings,

pp. 210-212.

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



Thursday

❑

May 17



Part 5



What is John's caution about spirits?

SPIRIT COMMUNI-



CATION AND



"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether

CHRISTIANITY they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out

into the world" (1 John 4:1).

It is a contradiction to claim to have faith in Jesus Christ and at

the same time trust in spiritualism. It is condemned in the Bible,

and its fundamental teachings are out of harmony with the

teachings of the Scriptures. For example:

Its basic belief, that the dead are still alive and intelligent, is

contrary to the clear Bible teaching that the dead are not alive

and they know nothing.

"God has expressly forbidden all pretended communica-

tion with departed spirits. In the days of the Hebrews there was a

class of people who claimed, as do the spiritualists of today, to

hold communication with the dead. But the 'familiar spirits,' as

these visitants from other worlds were called, are declared by

the Bible to be 'the spirits of devils.' (Compare Numbers 25:1-3;

Psalm 106:28; 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 16:14.)"—The

Great Controversy,

p. 556.

Even prominent Christian leaders are deceived by these

spirits. No less than 15 bishops of the Anglican Church serve on

the advisory board of that church's Fellowship for Psychical

and Spiritual Studies, a spiritualistic organization with head-

quarters in London.

It is interesting to remember the case of the late Episcopal

Bishop James A. Pike. In an effort to establish communication

with his son, dead from suicide, Pike relied on the services of a

pastor who was also a medium. The story made headlines in the

newspapers of North America in 1966. The truth is, though, that

not only Bishop Pike but many other clergymen and ministers of

Christian churches have had an intimate association with

spiritualistic activities. Some of these activities are disguised by

names such as "psychical research," "parapsychology,"

"spiritual frontiers," "extrasensory perception," and others.

Some ministers are officers and leaders of spiritualistic organi-

zations, and in some cases they are also mediums, as in the case

of the pastor who aided Bishop Pike.

What three criteria in the following texts help us to decide

about the source of spiritualism? Isa. 8:20; 1 John 4:3; Matt.

7:16, 17.



THINK IT THROUGH



In this day when psychic phenomena are so popular, what

can I do to persuade as many as possible to reject all forms of

spiritualism?



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 289, 290.

Spiritualism and the Occult

LESSON 7



❑

Friday

May 18

Part 6

THE SOURCE OF

TRUE KNOWLEDGE

THINK IT THROUGH

What is the tender and generous offer of Christ to the weary

and heavy-laden?

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I

will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for

I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your

souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt.

11:28-30).

One of the main objectives of man in looking into the theories

and activities of spiritualism, the occult, and kindred beliefs, is

to solve his problem of moral and physical pain and to alleviate

his hopelessness. But all the psychic disciplines and spiritualis-

tic activities are powerless to confront successfully the deep

problems of the soul. There is only one way to salvation.

"Christ is the wellspring of life. That which many need is to

have a clearer knowledge of Him; they need to be patiently and

kindly, yet earnestly, taught how the whole being may be thrown

open to the healing agencies of heaven. When the sunlight of

God's love illuminates the darkened chambers of the soul, rest-

less weariness and dissatisfaction will cease, and satisfying joys

will give vigor to the mind and health and energy to the

body."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 247.

What spiritualism cannot give, Christ bestows abundantly:

Physical and mental rest ease the burdens. (Matt. 11:28-

30.)

Confession of sin directly to God not only relieves guilt but

grants divine pardon of all past sin. (Read Ps. 32:1-5.)

Bible study, secret prayer, surrender to Christ, and the

indwelling of the Spirit produce a complete transformation of

life and open a new and beautiful road to a life of victory,

service, and happiness. (Read 2 Cor. 5:17.)

"Those who oppose the teachings of spiritualism are assail-

ing, not men alone, but Satan and his angels. They have entered

upon a contest against principalities and powers and wicked

spirits in high places. Satan will not yield one inch of ground

except as he is driven back by the power of heavenly messen-

gers. The people of God should be able to meet him, as did our

Saviour, with the words: 'It is written.' Satan can quote Scrip-

ture now as in the days of Christ, and he will pervert its teach-

ings to sustain his delusions. Those who would stand in this

time of peril must understand for themselves the testimony of

the Scriptures."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 559.

Have I solved all my personal problems in Christ? Is my

experience with Him something real? Do I renew it daily? Can I

really present to my friends and neighbors the triumphant

testimony of a happy life in Jesus?

FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

pp. 469, 470.

8. Spiritualism

and Bible Prophecg

LESSON 8 May 20-26

"For there shall arise false Christs,

and false prophets, and shall shew

great signs and wonders; insomuch

that, if it were possible, they shall

deceive the very elect. Behold, I have

told you before" (Matt. 24:24, 25).

Jesus loved His people, and He

wanted to protect them through the

ages from the deceptions of Satan.

He foresaw the spiritual confusion

of these last days that would spread

darkness among the inhabitants of

this planet. He foresaw the

proliferation of so-called Christian

theologies and philosophies that

would constitute Babylon. Also He

saw Satan developing his many

schemes in order to becloud human

minds and consciences.

He saw the spirits of devils operating

closely with the churches and

capturing the interest of all kinds of

peoples—religious, pagan,

superstitious, educated. Therefore,

He inspired His writers to record a

number of important prophecies. He

did this to make it possible for human

beings to unmask any kind of

erroneous philosophy or institution.

This is why, after Christ predicted

the rise of false prophets and

deceitful spiritual powers, He added:

"Behold, I have told you before."

Nothing can strengthen our faith or

open our eyes to the truth more

fully than the fulfillment of prophecy

regarding the specious delusions of

the last days.

And here apply the words of Jesus:

"If any man will do his will, he shall

know of the doctrine, whether it be of

God" (John 7:17). In other words,

nobody needs to be deceived; anyone

who has a sincere interest in

discovering the will of God will find

the true doctrine. The Holy Spirit

will guide his mind and will lead him

to the truth. He will see the error

unmasked. He will hear very clearly

the voice of God calling him: "Come

out of her [of Babylon], my

people" (Rev. 18:4).

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Deceitful Miracles

(Rev. 16:13, 14)

Satanic Delusions

(2 Thess. 2:8-10)

The Master Attempt of

Satan (2 Coe. 11:14, 15)

A Defense Against Deception

(John 7:17)

Only Safeguard Against

Spiritualism—I (John 17:3)

Only Safeguard Against

Spiritualism—II (John 10:4)

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Sunday

May 20



Part 1



What three great powers does the revelator say will deceive

DECEITFUL the world in the last days?

MIRACLES

"I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth

of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the

mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils,

working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth

and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that

great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:13, 14).

We have noted that these three spirits represent three

powers: (1) the beast—Rome; (2) the dragon—spiritualism; (3)

the false prophet—apostate Protestantism.

We see here that spiritualism (the dragon) in all its numerous

modern forms will constitute one of the three great powers that

will form an alliance in order to persecute and delude. At the

same time we see that every one of the three spirits—even the

one that comes out of the mouth of the Roman power and the

one that comes out of the mouth of the false prophet—are also

spirits of devils. This shows that spiritualism will be not only one

of the three but the main one, the one that will dominate and

unite them.

What are the two great beliefs that help tie the three powers

together?

"Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and

Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his

deceptions."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 588.

"A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seduc-

ing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil

angels will be felt in the churches."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 604.



THINK IT THROUGH



What are some of the subtle ways besides spiritualism in

which Satan attacks us?

"Satan studies every indication of the frailty of human nature,

he marks the sins which each individual is inclined to commit,

and then he takes care that opportunities shall not be wanting to

gratify the tendency to evil.:'—The

Great Controversy,

p. 555.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

p. 554.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Monday

May 21



Parl 2



How does Paul predict the occurrence of satanic delusions

SATANIC and lying wonders?

DELUSIONS

"Then shall that Wicked be revealed, ... whose coming is

after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying

wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in

them that perish" (2 Thess. 2:8-10).

"No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by

the miracles which Satan's agents have power to do, not which

they pretend to do."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 553.

Ellen White, writing of the growth of spiritualism, says:

"Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought,

the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be

performed."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 588.

To what extent will Satan have power to work miracles in

order to delude people? Rev. 13:13, 14.

This power that works great wonders is the lamblike beast,

namely the United States. But evidently it works miracles by the

power of Satan through spiritualism, with whom it is allied. (See

Rev. 16:13, 14.)

"Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the

race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to

present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at

the same time he works as a destroyer. His temptations are

leading multitudes to ruin. Intemperance dethrones reason;

sensual indulgence, strife, and bloodshed follow. Satan de-

lights in war. . . .

"... In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great

conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in

tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in

every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his

power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and

distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and

thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to

become more and more frequent and disastrous."—The

Great

Controversy,

pp. 589, 590.



THINK IT THROUGH



What temptations may be devised by spiritualism that

would be attractive to Seventh-day Adventists?

"Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is

degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction

between good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin,

the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The

people are taught to regard the Decalogue as a dead letter."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 558.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 551-553.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Tuesday

May 22



Part 3



What did Paul say is a tactic of Satan and his agents?

THE MASTER



ATTEMPT



"Nor do their tactics surprise me when I consider how Satan

OF SATAN himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is only to be

expected that his agents shall have the appearance of minis-

ters of righteousness—but they will get what they deserve in

the end" (2 Cor. 11:14, 15, Phillips).

Before the coming of Jesus there will be outstanding in-

stances of this transformation of Satan into an angel of light and

his ministers into ministers of righteousness. Ellen White de-

scribes it in

The Great Controversy,

page 624.

"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan

himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to

look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes.

Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come.

In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among

men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the

description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation.

Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsur-

passed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout

of triumph rings out upon the air: 'Christ has come! Christ has

come!' The people prostrate themselves in adoration before

him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon

them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the

earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle,

compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious,

heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the dis-

eases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of

Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and

commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He

declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day

are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels

sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost

overmastering delusion."

In Jesus' prediction of false christs, how convincing did He

say they would be? Matt. 24:24.



THINK IT THROUGH



"Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His

word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses?

Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible

only?"—The

Great Controversy,

p. 625.



FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 262-266.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Wednesday

May 23



Part 4



Where is truth found?

A DEFENSE



AGAINST



"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John

DECEPTION 17:17).

We should be thankful to God that He has not left us in

uncertainty regarding the way of salvation. We have an inspired

Book that is the truth itself. It is the test for other claims of truth.

So in order to be defended against error and deception, we

should cling to it as to an immovable rock in a turbulent sea.

With an unbiased study of the Bible, comparing passage with

passage and investigating all the scriptures that deal with a

specific subject, we have the whole picture before us and the

truth becomes clear. Any doctrine, any theory, any philosophy

that does not fit into that picture is a deception. So long as we

trust in God and remain on the platform of His Word, nothing

will be able to move us from that firm foundation.

But we need to study the Word for ourselves and not simply

take it for granted or rely on a secondhand knowledge. We must

eat of the bread of life ourselves in order to be fed. No one can

eat for us.

"The people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this

false christ [Satan] are not in accordance with the Scriptures.

His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast

and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that

God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out. .

"Only those who have been diligent students of the Scrip-

tures and who have received the love of the truth will be

shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world

captive."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 625.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I improve my daily schedule in order to leave more

time for Bible study? What Bible study aids should I acquire?



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 593-602.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Thursday

May 24



Part 5



What knowledge is essential to salvation?

ONLY SAFEGUARD



AGAINST



"This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true

SPIRITUALISM--I God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

The only way to obtain life eternal consists in knowing God

and in knowing Christ, in having a personal experience with

God the loving Father and Christ the Saviour and best Friend.

Those who have an intimate relationship with the Lord have

both eternal life and a shield against deception.

How does a human being enter into that relation? How does

he go about knowing God the Father and the Son, his Re-

deemer, in a real way?

First of all

he studies the Word. He

studies it in a search for the truth because he feels a deep

spiritual need. He not only reads and understands, but he also

takes time to meditate, to apply the Word to his personal life, to

contemplate the wonderful character of Jesus. And by "behold-

ing as in a glass the glory of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18), by dwelling

on the meekness of Jesus, on His love, His patience, His purity,

His self-denial, His self-control, he is "changed into the same

image."

Second,

he obtains a closer walk with Jesus by a life of prayer.

He loves to talk with God, not only in family worship and in

church and groups, but alone. He opens his heart completely

every day and exposes his life to the wonderful light of heaven,

and that light expels all darkness and impresses in his heart the

perfect character of Jesus. There are no unconfessed sins in his

life. The way of communication with God is always open; and he

is not only cleansed from all unrighteousness and accepted in

the Beloved, but he becomes a true partaker of the divine na-

ture. Gratitude to God is always flowing from his lips, and the joy

and love imparted by the Holy Spirit make him a kind and a

happy Christian in spite of trials. By experience he learns to pray

better, and the result is power and grace from on high.

Under part 6 we will consider two more elements in the barrier

against sin and deception.

THINK IT THROUGH

"Many attend religious services, and are refreshed and

comforted by the word of God; but through neglect of medita-

tion, watchfulness, and prayer, they lose the blessing. .. . It

would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in

contemplation of the life of Christ."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 83.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies, vol.

1, pp. 343, 344.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

LESSON 8



❑

Friday

May 25



Part 6



Why is it that the sheep follow their own shepherd?

ONLY SAFEGUARD



AGAINST



"When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before

SPIRITUALISM—II them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice" (John

10:4).

What an apt illustration this is of the right relationship of the

true children of God with their beloved Shepherd, Jesus! The

sheep follow the Shepherd because they know Him, and they

are well acquainted with His voice.

The best safeguard against any delusion or temptation is an

intimate knowledge of and a close relationship with the only

Shepherd. Under part 5 we learned that this personal knowl-

edge that brings life eternal and safety is achieved (1) through a

fervent, daily study of the Word of God, and (2) by a life of daily,

sincere prayer.

But there are two more elements: (1) a daily surrender to God

to obey Him; and (2) a witness about God to others for a healthy

Christian experience.

Jesus is always lovingly knocking at the door of our heart,

willing to enter in order to bless us. But if we are too busy, or if

there is too much trash that blocks the door, He cannot enter.

So, along with meditation and prayer, there should be a daily

and complete surrender of our will to His divine leadership.

"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes

possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man

can never accomplish fOr himself. . . . A soul thus kept in

possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the

assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the con-

trol of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 324.

But our Christian experience cannot be complete without a

witnessing activity, without sharing with others what Christ has

done for us.

"The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability,

and Christlike loveliness to the character."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 80.



THINK IT THROUGH



What do I lack that would deepen my Christian experience?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 573-580.



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LESSON 9 May 27 to June 2

"When the day of Pentecost was

fully come, they were all with one

accord in one place. And suddenly

there came a sound from heaven as of

a rushing mighty wind, and it filled

all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven

tongues like as of fire, and it sat

upon each of them. And they were all

filled with the Holy Ghost, and began

to speak with other tongues, as the

Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts

2:1-4).

The greatest thing that ever

hippened to the Christian church

happened at Pentecost. Jesus had told

His disciples that they must wait in

Jerusalem until they should be endued

with power (Acts 1:4), a power to

witness which would accompany the

outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When it

came, the disciples were able to

preach the gospel in such a way that

everyone received the message in his

own language (Acts 2:6). Such a

spiritual manifestation was convincing

evidence that what was preached was

true.

The church must always have the

power of the Holy Spirit in order to

carry on its witness. In the world,

where there are so many languages

and dialects, it is necessary to speak

in the language or dialect of every

nation, tribe, and people. That is why

Bible societies have so many Scripture

translations available, and missionaries

must learn the languages of the

people to whom they go. This facility

must be under the direction of the

Holy Spirit if it is to accomplish

what God has in mind, the widespread

propagation of truth.

Unfortunately, the devil is not

willing that this should happen.

There

fore he seeks to confuse and

delay. He institutes a counterfeit

manifestation of the use of tongues.

We note in many Christian churches

today an emphasis on the "speaking

in tongues." But tongues in many

cases are mostly gibberish. In our

lesson today we shall try to

differentiate between the true and

the false. The true must always be a

characteristic of the church. The false

must always be avoided and

condemned.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

Speaking in Tongues

(1 Cor. 12:28)

A False Priority

(1 Cor. 14:1)

Testing the Spirits

(1 John 4:1)

Noting the Fruits

(Matt. 7:20)

Deceptive Appearances

(Matt. 7:15)

The Spirit-filled Life

(Matt. 3:11)

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Sunday

True and False



May 27

Part 1



In what context does the apostle Paul place the gift of

SPEAKING tongues?

IN TONGUES

"God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondar-

ily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of

healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1 Cor.

12:28).

The ability to speak more than one language is obviously one

of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Not all have facility with language.

Some have great difficulty in expressing themselves even in one

language! But the ability to transmit accurately and explain

clearly is a gift of inestimable value, especially in expounding

the Word of God.

What is the main purpose of having the gift of tongues? Acts

1:8.

The tongue is a very important member of the human body.

James likens it to a fire (James 3:6). When it is used in

evangelism, thousands can be converted in a day. But when it is

used to gossip or propagate evil, it can do untold harm.

What two experiences are recorded in Acts that tell us of the

manifestation of the gift of tongues in the early church? Acts

10:45, 46; 19:5, 6.

The early Christian church had obvious examples of the gift of

tongues in the experiences of Peter and of Paul. In the case of

certain Gentiles whom Peter visited they "glorified God." In the

case of Paul his converts "prophesied." In each case the

tongue was used in an acceptable manner.

Ellen White, in referring to the speech of the disciples after

the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, says that from that time forth

"the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate,

whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign

language."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 40. Here is an ideal of

the use of language that is placed before every disciple, an ideal

that can be reached only with a total surrender to the power of

the Holy Spirit.

THINK IT THROUGH

If the gift of tongues is so important for the propagation of

the gospel, why is it that this gift is not more manifest in the

church today?

The answer to the above question will depend somewhat on

our understanding of what is involved in the phenomenon of

speaking in tongues. Is the gift of tongues as necessary today as

it was on the day of Pentecost?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 38-41.

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Monday

True and False



May

Part 2

A FALSE

PRIORITY

"Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather

that ye may prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:1).

The gifts of the Spirit are given to the church for its edifica-

tion. Not all the gifts are manifested at one time, nor is one gift

made to be the indispensable criterion of discipleship. God

knows

how

to distribute His gifts and

when

they are needed. It is

not for us to demand a gift or to be proud if we have one. Yet it is

in this very area that we find a counterfeit manifestation of the

gift of tongues. Some churches claim that this is a necessary

attribute of discipleship. Others take pride in it.

What problems did Paul face in connection with a manifes-

tation of the phenomenon of speaking in tongues? 1 Cor.

14:2-9.

The one who speaks with an unknown tongue is not helping

anyone if his language is not understood. Paul tells us that the

object of fellowship in the church is communication and mutual

help. If a person wants to speak to God in an unknown tongue,

that is his privilege, but he should do so privately and not take

up the time and attention of other members who are not able to

profit from his talk. In all church activity we must be practical;

we must contribute some good.

Paul did not deny the possibility that someone in Corinth

spoke with tongues through the influence of the Holy Spirit. But

he did suggest that there are other gifts that can do much more

good. The Christian must not be selfish or boastful when it

comes to gifts he or she may have. Every gift must contribute to

the welfare of the church as a whole, and only if it does so can it

be manifested in public.

What was Paul's attitude to the gift of tongues? 1 Cor. 14:

18, 19.

Many churches today are excited about glossolalia. We must

make certain that we are not deceived by an outward manifesta-

tion that could very well be the working of Satan to deceive

some gullible Christians into thinking that they are being moti-

vated by the Holy Spirit when in fact they are being used by

Satan for his nefarious purposes.



THINK IT THROUGH



On what basis can I differentiate the true and the false

manifestations of the gift of tongues in the church?

The counterfeit is often so nearly like the true that it can

deceive many. We must be so well schooled in the true that we

can detect error immediately. This is the challenge that faces

every Christian today.



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies, vol.

1, pp. 412, 414, 419.

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Tuesday

True and False



May 29

Part 3

TESTING

THE SPIRITS

What is the wise counsel given by the apostle John?

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether

they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out

into the world" (1 John 4:1).

In John's day there were false spirits and false prophets as

there have been such manifestations ever since Satan has been

abroad to deceive men. We must not be surprised if we meet

such phenomena today; in fact, it is likely that Satan will in-

crease his efforts to deceive man as he sees the end of the world

approaching. (See 1 Peter 5:8.) It is a Christian duty to dif-

ferentiate between the true and the false.

How can we recognize the true Spirit? John 16:13, 14.

The true Spirit guides into

all

truth. If we find a spirit teaching

any doctrine that is different from the teaching of the Scrip-

tures, then we must know that this cannot be a true spirit. Jesus

said that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He

also said that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). There can be no

contradiction between the life and teachings of Jesus and the

lives and conduct of those who claim to represent Him through

spiritual manifestations.

Some think that when they have spoken in tongues they have

reached the highest goal of Christian achievement. In their

pride they have forgotten that there must be a correct interpre-

tation of Scripture, a balance in the Christian life, and that its

fruit is obedience to the commandments of God.

What does Paul say about the distribution of gifts? 1 Cor.

12:8-11.

To suggest, as some do, that everyone must speak in tongues

as a manifestation of conversion is not a teaching of Scripture.



THINK IT THROUGH



Why is it dangerous to depend on feelings and unusual

manifestations to prove whether we are right or wrong?

God has given us a mind to reason with, a body of truth to

grasp and understand. To depend wholly on emotion is to ne-

glect an important part of our being, a part that makes us truly

the children of God, created in His image. Emotion has its part

to play in human life, and we must not deprive ourselves of the

joys that come from achievement and understanding, but

neither must we neglect the use of the intellect which ties up

everything into an integrated whole. Blessed is the man who has

a balanced view of life and the part he has to play in it.



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

p. 348;

The Great Controversy,

pp. 396, 397.

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Wednesday



True and False



May 30



Part 4



What sound principle did Jesus propound to indicate the

NOTING difference between the true and the false?

THE FRUITS

"By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20).

Nature gives us an object lesson that cannot be controverted:

a good tree brings forth good fruit, and a bad tree cannot help

but bring forth bad fruit. The lesson is just as simple in the

spiritual world as in the natural.

It is interesting to note that Satan cannot deny his nature. He

may try to conceal his intentions; his followers may show some

admirable attributes. But somehow, somewhere, the truth will

out, and it will be manifest that the works are basically evil and

the results of his activity are always unfortunate. God's Spirit

leads to life, joy, and happiness. The spirits in league with Satan

lead to frustration, confusion, and death.

What warning did Paul give regarding events in the last

days? 1 Tim. 4:1, 2.

These words are straightforward.

The New English Bible

translates: "The Spirit says expressly that in after times some

will desert from the faith and give their minds to subversive

doctrines inspired by devils, through the specious falsehoods

of men whose own conscience is branded with the devil's sign."

What good advice does Paul give Timothy and all of us who

desire to do what is right? 1 Tim. 6:11.

There is a battle to be fought, a race to be run, a victory to be

gained. Especially as we live in the last days, we must flee from

all that is destructive and false. There is "science falsely so

called," and there are "profane and vain babblings" which we

must avoid (1 Tim. 6:20).

What simple distinction does John make between the true

and the false? 1 John 3:7-10.

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (verse 8) because

these works lead to death. How then can Christians who claim

to follow in the footsteps of Jesus ever follow those whose

activities are subversive of the truth?



THINK IT THROUGH



What are some of the spiritual manifestations that you have

witnessed that you are sure stem from the evil one, and what

is the evidence of your conclusion?



FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 24-29.

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Thursday

True and False



May 31

Part 5



What imagery did Jesus use to indicate the existence of

DECEPTIVE deceptive appearances?

APPEARANCES

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's

clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7:15).

All that glitters is not gold. We must learn not to let the eyes

deceive us. When it comes to the difference between truth and

error, we must not be satisfied with a superficial look. We must

examine a movement or manifestation thoroughly so as to see

its inner motives, its guiding principles. It is not sufficient that it

seems to have worthy objectives. It must be examined as to its

source and principles of operation.

What counsel is given the Laodicean church regarding the

eyes? Rev. 3:18.

The loss of eyesight is a terrible calamity, but the loss of

spiritual eyesight, the ability to see the reality beyond the out-

ward appearances, is an even greater calamity.

Note the following description of a situation that will exist in

the last days:

"Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth

there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of

primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic

times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His

children.... The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and

before the time for such a movement shall come, he will en-

deavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit. In those

churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he will

make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there

will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest.

Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them,

when the work is that of another spirit. . . .

"... There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true

with the false, that is well adapted to mislead."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 464.

THINK IT THROUGH

Why is it that a movement that appears spiritual is more

likely to deceive a Christian than a movement that is blatantly

evil?

Men react openly and quickly against anything that is patently

evil. But when a movement has some good qualities, it is not

easy to reject it. In fact, it is usual to condone the evil for the sake

of the good. Thus a compromise is made with evil, and this leads

inevitably to further compromise and eventually outright es-

pousal of sin.

FURTHER STUDY



Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 594-597.

Spiritual Manifestations,

LESSON 9



❑

Friday



True and False



June 1



Part 6



How did John differentiate between his baptism and the

THE SPIRIT- baptism of the One who should come after him?

FILLED LIFE

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he

that cometh after me is mightier than I : He shall baptize you

with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matt. 3:11).

Every Christian has the privilege of being baptized with the

Holy Spirit. What does this mean? The following aspects of the

work of the Holy Spirit are important:

The Holy Spirit convinces of sin (John 16:8).

The Holy Spirit is an ever-present power in the life of the

Christian (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit guides into all truth, and

as the Christian follows in the way that is pointed out to him, he

is transformed and brings forth the fruits of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enables the Christian to give an effective

witness (Acts 1:8). His words and his life give the same message,

that Jesus is the Saviour from sin, the only hope of eternal life.

The Holy Spirit will be poured out in the last days in special

measure so that young and old will experience the phenomena

of prophecy, visions, and dreams (Acts 2:17). This last over-

whelming event is one that Satan would like to prevent, and

therefore he uses his counterfeit movements to try to divert the

Christian from the real to the false. It is this danger that every

Christian must avoid if he is to be saved in the kingdom.

What relationship does Jesus say He wants to enjoy with

every Christian? Rev. 3:20.

The symbol of Jesus standing at the door and knocking is a

very striking one. It shows how anxious Jesus is to commune

with the Christian. It also shows that the responsibility of open-

ing the door is wholly on the part of the individual. Finally, the

symbol of eating together at the same table brings out the close

relationship that can exist between the Lord and ourselves, so

that we can enjoy a fellowship in which no secrets are withheld

and where there can be mutual understanding and love.



THINK IT THROUGH



In view of the clear promises of God to His church, why is it

that the church does not seem to have taken full advantage of

its privileges? What changes do you think ought to be made in

your personal life so that the latter rain may be poured out?



FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 53-56.

LESSON 10 June 3-9

"I saw heaven opened, and behold

a white horse; and he that sat upon

him was called Faithful and True....

And the armies which were in heaven

followed him upon white horses.. ..

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp

sword, that with it he should smite

the nations: and he shall rule them

with a rod of iron" (Rev. 19:11-15).

A study of last-day events is

incomplete without examining the

subject of Armageddon. However, to

study Armageddon presents problems

because Seventh-day Adventists have

for over a hundred years held to one

or another of two main interpretations

of this prophecy.

"According to the first interpretation

'the great river Euphrates' represents

the Ottoman Empire; the drying up of

its waters, the gradual dissolution of

that empire; the 'kings of the east,' the

nations of the Orient; and

Armageddon, the literal valley of

Megiddo in northern Palestine. Thus,

the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire

is seen as preparing the way for

Oriental nations to join battle with

those of the West in the valley of

Megiddo.

"According to the second

interpretation the Euphrates represents

the people over whom mystical

Babylon holds sway; the drying up of

its waters, the withdrawal of their

support from Babylon; the 'kings of

the east,' Christ and those

accompanying Him; and Armageddon,

the last battle of the great controversy

between Christ and Satan, fought out

on the battlefield of this earth. Thus,

the withdrawal of human support

from mystical Babylon is seen as the

removal of the last barrier to her

ultimate defeat and punishment.

"According to the first view the

battle of Armageddon begins as

essentially a political conflict and

comes to a climax with the appearance

of Christ and the armies of heaven.

According to the second view the

battle of Armageddon begins when

the united religious and political

powers of earth open their final

attack on God's remnant people."—

S.D.A.

Bible Commentary, vol.

p. 842.

The first view has been presented

by Uriah Smith in

The Prophecies of

Daniel and the Revelation

(1944),

pp. 691-701. (First published in one

volume in 1897.)

The second view has been presented

by James White in the

Review and

Herald,

January 21, 1862, p. 61.

Which of these views should be

presented in the Sabbath School

lessons? The author of the lessons

favors the second view. Thus we will

present his view in this week's lesson

without any claim that it is to be

preferred above the first view.

The prophecy of Armageddon is still

unfulfilled, and it behooves us not to

be dogmatic about the manner of its

fulfillment.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Time and Setting of

Armageddon (Rev. 16:12)

What Armageddon Is—I

(Rev. 16:13, 14)

What Armageddon Is—II

(Rev. 19:11-16)

Despair of the Wicked

(Isa. 26:21; Zech. 14:12)

The Glorious Outcome

(Rev. 16:17-19)

Now Is the Time!

(Rev. 16:15)

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10



1:1

Sunday

June 3



Part 1



At what particular time does Armageddon occur?

THE TIME AND



SETTING OF

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"The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river

ARMAGEDDON Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of

the kings of the east might be prepared" (Rev. 16:12).

The preparation for Armageddon comes under the sixth

plague and the battle itself under the seventh. (See also Rev.

19:11-21.) It comes after the close of probation and is the final

major event before the coming of Jesus.

What is a possible interpretation of the drying up of the

Euphrates?

For those looking for a possible interpretation of this part of

the prophecy, we mention the following, which is just one

among several. (Let us remember, though, that the main fea-

tures of the conflict of Armageddon stay always the same and

are not affected by any one of the different interpretations

advanced for this specific verse.)

Euphrates is the literal river of the literal Babylon. But Baby-

lon in Revelation is symbolic of a religious power. It is logical

then to regard the Euphrates River as also symbolic. Waters are

peoples (Rev. 17:15). So the drying up of the Euphrates may

represent the withdrawal of support for symbolic Babylon by

the people who formerly upheld it.

The kings of the East may point to Christ and the armies of

heaven that come to fight against the wicked nations in order to

liberate the children of God.

What is one of the most important meanings of Armaged-

don?

At the climax of the struggle between the people of God and

the persecuting powers, when the saints will be under the

soon-to-be-executed death decree, the events of Armageddon

will be a sign of encouragement to the faithful that the great

liberation is coming in a short time.

THINK IT THROUGH

God never leaves us without hope. "Man's extremity is

God's opportunity" to show His power.

This is the promise: "There hath no temptation taken you but

such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not

suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the

temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to

bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13).

This promise applies to any individual or group, either now or

during the time of trouble.

FURTHER STUDY



Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.



pp. 982, 983.

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10

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❑

Monday

June 4



Part 2



What are the main features of the Battle of Armageddon?

WHAT



ARMAGEDDON



"I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth

IS—I of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the

mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils,

working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth

and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that

great day of God Almighty" (Rev. 16:13, 14).

We have already studied these three great powers and their

identification in lesson 4. The dragon is spiritualism and

paganism; the beast, Romanism; and the false prophet, apos-

tate Protestantism. These are the three forces that will ally

themselves under the leadership of Satan to fight against God,

the saints, and the truth.

The word "Armageddon" is used just once in the Scriptures,

in Revelation 16:16. Some have claimed that Armageddon is

Megiddo, but others see no relationship between the two names

except that they sound alike. This word (Armageddon) could be

taken as a symbolic expression used by the Scriptures to refer

to a worldwide battle in the great day of God.

A comparison of Revelation 16:13, 14 with other Scripture

passages and with pertinent paragraphs from the spirit of

prophecy leads to the following conclusions about Armaged-

don:

It is a battle between truth and error.

It is a conflict between Christ and Satan.

The fallen angels will be aligned with their leader, Satan.

The struggle will be directed against the children of God

and will bring about a great persecution.

The three apostate powers will participate actively in it.

These three powers, allied under the prince of darkness,

will level their attack at God and Christ in the person of His

faithful children. They will require all to receive the mark of the

beast (Rev. 13:16) and will rely on the aid of kings (governments)

to enforce their decrees (Rev. 16:14).

The forces of evil will be destroyed in the lake of fire and

the chidren of God will be liberated.

Armageddon is one of the final episodes in the conflict be-

tween good and evil, between truth and error, between Christ

and Satan with their respective followings of angels and men.



THINK IT THROUGH



Am I developing now the spiritual strength I need in order to

keep true to Christ in persecution and threat of death?



FURTHER STUDY



Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

pp. 982, 983.

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10



❑

Tuesday

June 5



Part 3



What figure does John use in Revelation 19 to describe the

WHAT same conflict and the powers engaged in it?

ARMAGEDDON



IS—II



"I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he

that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righ-

teousness he doth judge and make war. . . . And he was

clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called

The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven fol-

lowed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and

clean" (Rev. 19:11-14).

Read this complete Bible paragraph (Rev. 19:11-16). Note the

description of Christ and the armies of heaven making war

against the kings of the earth, their armies, and the beast and

the false prophet. (See verses 18, 19.)

The contending forces in the conflict will be formed, there-

fore, of the following: (1) Those arrayed against God; namely,

Satan, the demons, the three politicoreligious persecuting

powers, the kings of the earth, and the nations (wicked men). (2)

Those allied with God; namely, Christ and His angels and the

righteous of earth who uphold truth and profess loyalty to the

Creator and His law.

"The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final

struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of

God."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 582.

"We need to study the pouring out of the seventh vial. The

powers of evil will not yield up the conflict without a struggle.

But Providence has a part to act in the battle of Armageddon.

When the earth is lighted with the glory of the angel of Revela-

tion eighteen, the religious elements, good and evil, will awake

from slumber, and the armies of the living God will take the

field."—Ellen G. White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary,

vol.

7, p. 983.

"A terrible conflict is before us. We are nearing the battle of

the great day of God Almighty. That which has been held in

control is to be let loose."... The earth is to be the battlefield—

the scene of the final contest and the final victory. Here, where

for so long Satan has led men against God, rebellion is to be

forever supressed."—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

May

13, 1902.

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THINK IT THROUGH



Where shall Armageddon find me and my family? There

shall be no neutral place in that day. Am I wholeheartedly

enrolled under the banner of Emmanuel, or by my lukewarm

attitude have I divided interests? (See Matt. 12:30.)

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10



❑

Wednesday

June 6

Part 4

DESPAIR OF

THE WICKED

THINK IT THROUGH

What relation do you see between Armageddon and the

following Old Testament passages?

"The Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants

of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her

blood, and shall no more cover her slain" (Isa. 26:21).

"This shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all

the people that have fought against Jerusalem" (Zech. 14:12).

(Read the remainder of verse 12 and verse 13.)

What are some of the feelings of the impenitent when they see

the result of their decisions? "Many of the wicked were greatly

enraged as they suffered the effects of the plagues. It was a

scene of fearful agony. Parents were bitterly reproaching their

children, and children their parents, brothers their sisters, and

sisters their brothers. Loud, wailing cries were heard in every

direction, 'It was you who kept me from receiving the truth

which would have saved me from this awful hour.' The people

turned upon their ministers with bitter hate and reproached

them, saying, 'You have not warned us. You told us that all the

world was to be converted, and cried, Peace, peace, to quiet

every fear that was aroused. You have not told us of this hour;

and those who warned us of it you declared to be fanatics and

evil men, who would ruin us.' But I saw that the ministers did not

escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater

than that of their people."—Early

Writings,

p. 282.

"The people see that they have been deluded. They accuse

one another of having led them to destruction; but all unite in

heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the ministers. Un-

faithful pastors have prophesied smooth things; they have led

their hearers to make void the law of God and to persecute those

who would keep it holy. Now, in their despair, these teachers

confess before the world their work of deception. The mul-

titudes are filled with fury. 'We are lost!' they cry, 'and you are

the cause of our ruin;' and they turn upon the false shepherds.

The very ones that once admired them most will pronounce the

most dreadful curses upon them. The very hands that once

crowned them with laurels will be raised for their destruction.

The swords which were to slay God's people are now employed

to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and

bloodshed."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 655, 656.

"When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people,

there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the

great conflict of life.... The result is, their lives are a failure;

their pleasures are now turned to gall, their treasures to cor-

ruption. The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 654.

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10



❑

Thursday

June 7



Part 5



Study the description of the seventh plague.

THE GLORIOUS



OUTCOME



"The seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and

there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the

throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thun-

ders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such

as was not since men were upon the earth. . . . And great

Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her

the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath" (Rev.

16:17-19).

(Read carefully verses 17 through 21.)

The great earthquake is not only a literal one, but also a

symbolic cataclysm that destroys spiritual Babylon. "The great

city [Babylon] was divided into three parts" (verse 19). Why?

Because that huge structure of error and deception was com-

posed of the threefold union of the great powers—the dragon,

the beast, and the false prophet.

But now, under the seventh plague, this unholy alliance loses

its coherence and is broken, and the three religious and politi-

cal forces begin to fight against each other.

What symbols are used in Revelation 19:11-16 to describe

the fierce battle between Christ and the world? What do they

mean?

What will be the outcome of Armageddon? Rev. 19:17-21.

An angel calls the fowls of heaven together in order to eat the

flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men. And John sees the

beast and the false prophet thrown into a lake of fire. This is not

the lake of fire that appears at the end of the millennium. He sees

the rest slain by the sword of the One that sat on the white horse.

As for the dragon, Satan himself and his devils will remain for

1000 more years on this devastated and solitary planet. They will

see the final results of their rebellion.

The victory of Jesus in the battle of Armageddon is absolute,

complete, and eternal. The liberation of the saints is final.

THINK IT THROUGH

Why has God waited so long to bring an end to sin? Why will

He delay 1000 years more in destroying Satan and the evil

spirits?

With this awful experience of sin, sorrow, and death, with the

complete development of the principles and plans of Satan, the

whole universe will have been effectively vaccinated against

sin. The wonderful love and justice of God will have been vindi-

cated forever, and the curse of sin will not arise the second time.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 653-661;

Early Writings,

p. 290.

The Battle of Armageddon

LESSON 10



❑

Friday

June 8

Part 6

NOW IS

THE TIME!

THINK IT THROUGH

What solemn admonition does Jesus give in connection

with the events of Armageddon?

"Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and

keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his

shame" (Rev. 16:15).

The only way to withstand the hour of God's judgment, the

Battle of Armageddon, is to acquire the garments of heaven.

The time to buy the white raiment to cover our spiritual naked-

ness is now. When Armageddon comes, probation will have

closed.

To watch and keep on the garments of the righteousness of

Christ—both forgiveness and victory, both justification and

sanctification—requires a constant faith in Jesus. He is the only

One who can give us this beautiful robe. He is the only One who

can cleanse us from all unrighteousness through faith in Him

that includes confession of sin. Only He can transfer to us His

perfect character.

What did Jesus teach about the relationship between Him-

self and the believer? John 15:4, 5.

The branch has life in it and retains the possibility of having

flowers and bearing fruit as long as it continues to be a part of

the vine. As soon as it is cut off the vine, it dies. The same

happens with the child of God. The only possibility of having a

fruitful life is to abide in Christ, to be vitally united with Him, and

to depend upon Him every moment.

"Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work

alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but

now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such

effort must fail. Jesus says, 'Without Me ye can do nothing.' Our

growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,—all depend upon our

union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,—

by abiding in Him,—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only

the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last

and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the

end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, 'I

have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right

hand, I shall not be moved.' Psalm

16:8."—Steps to Christ,

p. 69.

What is the specific meaning of abiding in Christ? How do

we become united with Christ in a contact as close as the

branch and the vine?

FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"Growing Up Into Christ," pp. 67-75.

LESSON 11 June 10-16

"The Lord is not slack concerning

his promise, as some men count

slackness; but is longsuffering to

us-ward, not willing that any should

perish, but that all should come to

repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

It has never been the plan of

God that sorrow, pain, and suffering

should exist in the universe. When He

made man, He made him in His own

image. His eternal plan was that the

more man lived, the more he would

reflect those divine characteristics

that bring happiness, joy, and peace.

But when sin entered into the picture,

the plans of heaven were temporarily

disrupted, and the original intention

of God had to be postponed.

Sin has spoiled the beauty and

happiness the Lord wanted man to

enjoy from the very beginning.

Nevertheless, God did not give up His

plan for a happy, holy human family.

For this reason God will intervene in

our world to destroy sorrow and sin.

We as the church of God are to

cooperate with Him in consummating

His wonderful agelong promises. If

the individuals in the church had

trusted fully in Jesus and proclaimed

the gospel of redemption to the

world, Jesus long ago could have

brought the end of evil. And if we

are still in this world, it is because

we did not believe strongly enough to

cooperate with God in living and

witnessing.

In spite of our past failure God's

work will be finished. There will

come an end to the agony of this

planet of rebellious people. The only

reason why He seemingly delayed His

supernatural intervention is not

because He is "slack concerning his

promise," but because He "is

longsuffering to us-ward, not willing

that any should perish, but that all

should come to repentance." On the

other hand, the Spirit of the Lord

"shall not always strive with man."

In this lesson we will witness the

marvelous intervention of God and

the final liberation of the saints at

the time of the seventh plague. The

day of doom and destruction for the

impenitent world, hardened in sin,

will be the day of joy and happiness

for the children of God, who for

such a long time suffered for their

Master and endured the tempest of

persecution but remained loyal.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

The Seventh Plague

(Rev. 16:17-21)

At the Hour of Utmost Extremity

(Ps. 37:40)

Cataclysmic Events—I

(Rev. 16:17-21)

A Sudden Change in the Scene

(Rev. 16:17)

Cataclysmic Events—II

(Ps. 76:7-9)

The Advent

(Rev. 1:7; Jude 14, 15;

Matt. 24:30, 31)

Liberation of the Church

Lesson 11



❑

Sunday

June 10



Part 1



In Revelation 16:17-21 seven events are mentioned in connec-

THE SEVENTH

tion with the seventh plague:



PLAGUE



1. A great voice from heaven proclaims, "It is done." This is

the very last hour of turmoil and destruction. It is the hour of the

judgment of God on the inhabitants of this world.

There were lightnings, voices, and thunders. The mighty

elements of nature are used by the Lord to signify His disap-

proval of the behavior of the unjust who are about to destroy the

loyal children of God.

A gigantic earthquake, the greatest in human history,

shakes the earth.

The great city, spiritual Babylon—the alliance of confusion

and apostate spiritual powers—is divided into three parts. In

other words, the three great powers that up to this point were

united in fighting against God, the truth, and the saints—

spiritualism, Romanism, and apostate Protestantism—now pull

aside from each other and begin fighting against each other,

thus producing the destruction of Babylon.

The other "cities of the nations" fall. The whole world is in

gigantic turmoil.

Islands flee, and mountains disappear. The actual physical

shape of this planet changes.

Hail falls from heaven, each hailstone the weight of a

talent, which is about 66 pounds or 30 kilograms.

This is the awesome picture of the hour of the judgments of

God in which this world will be destroyed.

But the most important aspect of all this scene is that the

children of God will be liberated at the destruction of the impen-

itent.

THINK IT THROUGH

What will determine whether I will be with the happy people

of God, who are liberated during the seventh plague, or with

the great majority, that will be destroyed? Is it safe for me to

postpone my surrender and my taking full advantage of the

grace and mercy of God? (See Ps. 95:7, 8.)

FURTHER STUDY



S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7,

pp. 846-848.

Liberation of the Church

LESSON 11



❑

Monday

June 11



Part 2



Read Ps. 37:40.

AT THE HOUR



OF UTMOST



It will be midnight, as the death decree becomes effective and

EXTREMITY

the wicked are about to destroy the children of God, when the

God of heaven intervenes in an unprecedented way to liberate

the saints. At the "hour of utmost extremity" God will protect

His own and will destroy the sinners.

"The Lord is doing His work. All heaven is astir. The Judge of

all the earth is soon to arise and vindicate His insulted authority.

The mark of deliverance will be set upon the men who keep

God's commandments, who revere His law, and who refuse the

mark of the beast or of his

image."—Testimonies,

vol. 5, pp. 451,

452.

"When the defiance of the law of Jehovah shall be almost

universal, when his people shall be pressed in affliction by their

fellow men, God will interpose. The fervent prayers of his people

will be answered."—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald,

June

15, 1897.

"The people of God—some in prison cells, some hidden in

solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains—still plead for

divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed

men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work

of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God

of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 635.

"Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were

delivered by the voice of God. The 144,000 triumphed. Their

faces were lighted up with the glory of God."—Early

Writings,

p. 37.

"Satan's host and wicked men will surround them, and exult

over them, because there will seem to be no way of escape for

them. But in the midst of their revelry and triumph, there is

heard peal upon peal of the loudest thunder. The heavens have

gathered blackness, and are only illuminated by the blazing

light and terrible glory from heaven, as God utters His voice

from His holy habitation.

"The foundations of the earth shake; buildings totter and fall

with a terrible crash. The sea boils like a pot, and the whole earth

is in terrible commotion. The captivity of the righteous is turned,

and with sweet and solemn whisperings they say to one

another: 'We are delivered. It is the voice of God.'

"—Testi-

monies,

vol. 1, p. 354.



THINK IT THROUGH



God also can intervene in a merciful and miraculous way in

our own personal life, at the hour of utmost extremity, to solve

our biggest problems if we trust Him and depend on Him.

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 33, 34.

Liberation of the Church

LESSON 11



❑

Tuesday

June 12



Part 3



Five of the seven events that we have noted in Revelation

CATACLYSMIC

16:17-21 are happenings in nature. Read this passage again.

EVENTS—I

These events lead up to the coming of Jesus.

Compare the events named in Revelation 16:17-21 with those

given in Revelation 6:14-17. It is during these events that the

faithful believers are liberated.

Ellen White makes these further comments on the events in

nature under the seventh plague:

"With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of

evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense

blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the

earth. Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of

God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying

company. The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. Their

mocking cries die away. The objects of their murderous rage are

forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol

of God's covenant and long to be shielded from its overpower-

ing brightness."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 635, 636.

"Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their

places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of

God."—Early

Writings,

p. 41.

"Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Every-

thing seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams

ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against

each other."—Early

Writings,

p. 285.

But through all of these catastrophes the redeemed will be

protected. "Christ has spoken: 'Come, My people, enter thou

into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself

as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the

inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.' Isaiah 26:20, 21.

Glorious will be the deliverance of those who have patiently

waited for His coming and whose names are written in the book

of life."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 634.



THINK IT THROUGH



By the grace of God I choose to be among God's redeemed

people.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 635-637.

Liberation of the Church

LESSON 11



❑

Wednesday

June 13

Part 4

A SUDDEN

CHANGE IN

THE SCENE

THINK IT THROUGH

During the seventh plague, what proclamation proceeds

from God's throne?

"There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from

the throne, saying, It is done" (Rev. 16:17).

The declaration "It is done" will be spoken at the midnight

manifestation of God's power in nature. Amid the confusion

there will come a moment of assurance to God's people. Ellen

White describes it thus:

"By the people of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard,

saying, 'Look up,' and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they

behold the bow of promise. The black, angry clouds that cov-

ered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up

steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of

man seated upon His throne. In His divine form they discern the

marks of His humiliation; and from His lips they hear the request

presented before His Father and the holy angels: 'I will that they

also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.' John

17:24. Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is heard, saying:

'They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They

have kept the word of My patience; they shall walk among the

angels;' and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast

their faith utter a shout of victory."—The

Great Controversy,

p. 636.

"The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listen-

ing to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and

rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was

awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted,

'Glory! Hallelujah!' Their countenances were lighted up with the

glory of God, and they shone with glory as did the face of Moses

when he came down from Sinai. The wicked could not look

upon them for the glory. And when the never-ending blessing

was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His

Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast

and over his image."—The

Story of Redemption,

pp. 409, 410.

Do I have the anticipation for Jesus' return reflected in the

words of Isaiah: "It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God;

we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord;

we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his

salvation" (Isa. 25:9)?

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 638-640.

Liberation of the Church

LESSON 11



❑

Thursday

June 14



Part 5



What assurance can we gain today from the experience

CATACLYSMIC mentioned in Psalm 76?

EVENTS—II

"Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy

sight when once thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to

be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, when

God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth" (Ps.

76:7-9).

After the declaration "It is done," the convulsion of nature will

continue.

"That voice [the voice of the Lord saying, "It is done"] shakes

the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, 'such

as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earth-

quake, and so great.' Verses 17, 18. The firmament appears to

open and shut. The glory from the throne of God seems flashing

through. The mountains shake like a reed in the wind, and

ragged rocks are scattered on every side. There is a roar as of a

coming tempest. The sea is lashed into fury. There is heard the

shriek of a hurricane like the voice of demons upon a mission of

destruction. The whole earth heaves and swells like the waves

of the sea. Its surface is breaking up. Its very foundations seem

to be giving way. Mountain chains are sinking. Inhabited islands

disappear. The seaports that have become like Sodom for wick-

edness are swallowed up by the angry waters. Babylon the great

has come in remembrance before God, `to give unto her the cup

of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.' Great hailstones,

every one 'about the weight of a talent,' are doing their work of

destruction. Verses 19, 21. The proudest cities of the earth are

laid low. The lordly palaces, upon which the world's great men

have lavished their wealth in order to glorify themselves, are

crumbling to ruin before their eyes. Prison walls are rent asun-

der, and God's people, who have been held in bondage for their

faith, are set free."—The

Great Controversy, pp. 636, 637.



THINK IT THROUGH



God is as interested in helping and delivering each one of us

now in our day-to-day problems and trials as He will be at the

final hour of history.



FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 641-643.

Liberation of the Church

LESSON 11



❑

Friday

June 15

Part 6

THE ADVENT

THINK IT THROUGH

The events that we have studied thus far this week precede

the coming of Jesus by only a very short time. The actual coming

of Jesus is described in several Bible passages. These will be

familiar to most who study this lesson, but a review of them can

make them even more familiar and call our attention again to

the one great event to which we look forward.

What is known about Jesus' coming? Rev. 1:7

What further information do you find in Jude 14, 15?

Read Matthew 24:30, 31. What do the angels do?

Can you find two other texts that give details about Jesus'

return?

"Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father,

and the glory of the holy angels. Ten thousand times ten

thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful

and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness

and glory, will escort Him on His way. Then shall He sit upon the

throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations.

Then every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. In

the place of a crown of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory,—a

crown within a crown. In place of that old purple kingly robe, He

will be clothed in raiment of whitest white, 'so as no fuller on

earth can white them.' Mark 9:3. And on His vesture and on His

thigh a name will be written, 'King of kings, and Lord of lords.'

Rev. 19:16."—The

Desire of Ages,

p. 739.

"All heaven will be emptied of the angels. The waiting saints

will be looking for Him, and gazing into heaven, as were the

'men of Galilee' when He ascended from the Mount of Olivet.

Then, those only who are holy, those who have followed fully the

meek Pattern will, with rapturous joy, exclaim as they behold

Him, 'Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will

save us.' And they will be changed 'in a moment, in the twinkling

of an eye, at the last trump,' that wakes the sleeping saints, and

calls them forth from their dusty beds, clothed with glorious

immortality, shouting Victory! Victory! over death and the

grave. The changed saints are caught up together with them to

meet the Lord in the air, never more to be separated from the

object of their love."—Sons

and Daughters of God,

p. 360.

Christians count any present so-called sacrifice worthwhile

in order for them to be counted among the blessed company

of the people of God in that wonderful day.

FURTHER STUDY



The Great Controversy,

pp. 644-652.

LESSON 12 June 17-23

"Ye shall have a song, as in the

night when a holy solemnity is kept;

and gladness of heart, as when one

goeth with a pipe to come into the

mountain of the Lord, to the mighty

One of Israel. And the Lord shall

cause his glorious voice to be heard,

and shall shew the lighting down

of his arm, with the indignation of

his anger, and with the flame of a

devouring fire, with scattering, and

tempest, and hailstones" (Isa.

30:29, 30).

As a climax to the supernatural

intervention of heaven in the affairs of

this sinful world, the King of kings and

Lord of lords appears in His glorious

second coming.

In this lesson we will review some

of the dramatic events that take place

immediately before the second

coming of Jesus.

The reason for this study is,

naturally, to have as exact an idea

as possible of the magnitude and the

sequence of these phenomena, as

appear evident from the analysis of

the Bible texts and of the spirit of

prophecy writings. And let us say, by

the way, that we have tried to include

this week as many quotations from

Ellen G. White's writings as possible,

since the servant of the Lord saw all

those appalling scenes and was

overwhelmed by a clear vision of the

reality. This is why she was in a

position to write with accuracy and

knowledge, enlarging on the brief

statements and descriptions that we

find in the Word of God.

What we really need, though, is not

only a theoretical knowledge of these

majestic happenings, but a

reassurance of the absolute certainty

of the prophecies and promises of

God for this great hour. We need to

develop and strengthen our faith

during these times of comparative

calm and serenity so that when the

great day of God comes, we may keep

our confidence in the One who never

fails and is exceedingly powerful and

capable of giving us much more than

we can ask or think.

When by the grace of God we shall

see Jesus riding on clouds of glory

and accompanied by all His holy

angels, all our past afflictions will

look insignificant. When we approach

the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem,

led by the great Captain of our

salvation, we will praise Him who is

our victory. We will give Him all the

honor and the glory, because with His

inspiring life and His vicarious death

He saved us, forgiving our sins and

transforming our character for

heaven.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

A Partial Resurrection

(Dan. 12:2; Rev. 1:7)

Two Groups

(Ps. 46:1-3)

The Glorious Second Coming

•

(Matt. 24:

27)

Four Great Events

(Isa. 25:8, 9)

Toward the Pearly Gates

(Rev. 1:5, 6)

How to Make Sure of Our

Participation (Rev. 12:11)

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Sunday

June 17

Part 1

A PARTIAL

RESURRECTION

THINK IT THROUGH

What points in the following verses indicate a partial resur-

rection of the wicked at the second advent?

"Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall

awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and

everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2).

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see

him, and they also which pierced him" (Rev. 1:7).

"Graves are opened, and 'many of them that sleep in the dust

of the earth . . . awake, some to everlasting life, and some to

shame and everlasting contempt.' Daniel 12:2. All who have

died in the faith of the third angel's message come forth from

the tomb glorified, to hear God's covenant of peace with those

who have kept His law. 'They also which pierced Him' (Revela-

tion 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ's dying agonies,

and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are

raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed

upon the loyal and obedient.

"Thick clouds still cover the sky; yet the sun now and then

breaks through, appearing like the avenging eye of Jehovah.

Fierce lightnings leap from the heavens, enveloping the earth in

a sheet of flame. Above the terrific roar of thunder, voices,

mysterious and awful, declare the doom of the wicked. The

words spoken are not comprehended by all; but they are dis-

tinctly understood by the false teachers. Those who a little

before were so reckless, so boastful and defiant, so exultant in

their cruelty to God's commandment-keeping people, are now

overwhelmed with consternation and shuddering in fear. Their

wails are heard above the sound of the elements. Demons ac-

knowledge the deity of Christ and tremble before His power,

while men are supplicating for mercy and groveling in abject

terror."—The Great Controversy,

pp. 637, 638.

What descriptions from Isaiah 2:10-12, 20, 21, written for

Judah, are also applicable to the second advent?

Many people have exalted their own opinions and ideas

above the law of God, and in their defiance they have perse-

cuted the righteous and have made preparation to kill them. Too

late they discover the result of their stubbornness, and with

great terror they cry to the mountains and to the rocks to fall on

them and hide them from the presence of Christ.

To what extent am I taking advantage of the opportunities

and privileges God gives me today so that, whether I live until

the advent or I die under the faith of the third angel's message,

I may be in the redeemed throng?

FURTHER STUDY



Selected Messages,

bk. 2, pp. 263, 264.

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Monday

June 18

Part 2



What is the comforting and encouraging promise that will be

TWO GROUPS fulfilled in the great day of the Lord?

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in

trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be re-

moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of

the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,

though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" (Ps.

46:1-3).

What will be the clear contrast between the two classes of

people?

The world at that time will be divided into two classes of

people. They will stand in bold contrast to each other because

of the principle each holds. Ellen White wrote this description:

"Through a rift in the clouds there beams a star whose bril-

liancy is increased fourfold in contrast with the darkness. It

speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to the

transgressors of God's law. Those who have sacrificed all for

Christ are now secure, hidden as in the secret of the Lord's

pavilion. . . .

.. The clouds sweep back, and the starry heavens are seen,

unspeakably glorious in contrast with the black and angry fir-

mament on either side. The glory of the celestial city streams

from the gates ajar. Then there appears against the sky a hand

holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet:

'The heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge

Himself.' Psalm 50:6. That holy law, God's righteousness, that

amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide

of life, is now,revealed to men as the rule of judgment. The hand

opens the tables, and there are seen the precepts of the Dec-

alogue, traced as with a pen of fire."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 638, 639.

"The Lord here [in the story of Enoch] teaches a lesson of the

greatest importance by the translation of Enoch, a descendant

of fallen Adam, that all would be rewarded, who by faith would

rely upon the promised Sacrifice and faithfully obey His com-

mandments. Two classes are here again represented which

were to exist until the second coming of Christ—the righteous

and the wicked, the rebellious and the loyal. God will remember

the righteous, who fear Him. On account of His dear Son He will

respect and honor them and give them everlasting life. But the

wicked, who trample upon His authority, He will cut off and

destroy from the earth, and they will be as though they had not

been."—The

Story of Redemption,

pp. 59, 60.

THINK IT THROUGH

The same star that appears in the darkened heavens and

speaks hope and joy to the faithful conveys the wrath of God

and destruction to the unfaithful. How does this same princi-

ple apply to God's revelation today?

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Tuesday

June 19

Part 3



What illustration did Jesus use to describe His second corn-

THE GLORIOUS ing?

SECOND COMING

"As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even

unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be"

(Matt. 24:27).

What will the voice of God proclaim very shortly before

Christ's actual coming?

"The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day

and hour of Jesus' coming, and delivering the everlasting cov-

enant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll

through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their

eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His

glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down

from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the

blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by

keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory."—

The Great Controversy,

p. 640.

How is the approach of the King of kings described?

"Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about

half the size of a man's hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the

Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in

darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son

of man. In solemn silence they gaze upon it as it draws nearer

the earth, becoming lighter and more glorious, until it is a great

white cloud, its base a glory like consuming fire, and above it the

rainbow of the covenant. Jesus rides forth as a mighty con-

queror. Not now a 'Man of Sorrows,' to drink the bitter cup of

shame and woe, He comes, victor in heaven and earth, to judge

the living and the dead.... With anthems of celestial melody the

holy angels, a vast, unnumbered throng, attend Him on His way.

The firmament seems filled with radiant forms—'ten thousand

times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.' No human

pen can portray the scene; no mortal mind is adequate to con-

ceive its splendor. . . . As the living cloud comes still nearer,

every eye beholds the Prince of life. No crown of thorns now

mars that sacred head; but a diadem of glory rests on His holy

brow. His countenance outshines the dazzling brightness of the

noonday sun. 'And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a

name written,

King of kings, and Lord of lords.'

Revelation

19:16."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 640, 641.

What will be the attitude of the wicked toward the advent?

Rev. 6:15-17.

100

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Wednesday

June 20

Part 4



What will be the joyous exclamation of the children of God

FOUR GREAT when death is swallowed up in victory at the advent?

EVENTS

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will

wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his

people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord

hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our

God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the

Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his

salvation" (Isa. 25:8, 9).

What are the great events that will take place at the time of

Jesus' coming?

General resurrection of the righteous (1 Thess. 4:15-17).

This is the general resurrection of the saved after the partial one

that occurred earlier.

Glorification of the living saints (1 Cor. 15:51, 52).

Both groups are caught up to meet the Lord (1 Thess.

4:17).

The wicked living are destroyed (2 Thess. 2:8).

This is how the pen of inspiration describes these events:

"Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the

roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the

sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then,

raising His hands to heaven, He cries: 'Awake, awake, awake, ye

that steep in the dust, and arise!' Throughout the length and

breadth of the earth the dead shall hear that voice, and they that

hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of

the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongUe, and

people. . . .

"The living righteous are changed 'in a moment, in the twin-

kling of an eye.' At the voice of God they were glorified; now they

are made immortal and with the risen saints are caught up to

meet their Lord in the air. Angels 'gather together His elect from

the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.' Little

children are borne by holy angels to their mothers' arms.

Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part,

and with songs of gladness ascend together to the City of

God."—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 644, 645.

THINK IT THROUGH

Have I ever really stopped to think about myself being

caught up in the clouds in heaven, following Jesus to the

celestial city? Did I ever imagine myself being in this real and

most happy situation? What kind of feelings did it arouse in

me toward God and Jesus?

FURTHER STUDY



Early Writings,

pp. 288, 289.

101

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Thursday

June 21

Part 5



What is the reason the redeemed can be part of Christ's

TOWARD THE kingdom?

PEARLY GATES

"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his

own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and

his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever"

(Rev. 1:5, 6).

What does the Saviour bestow upon His followers before

entering the city of God?

"On each side of the cloudy chariot are wings, and beneath it

are living wheels; and as the chariot rolls upward, the wheels

cry, 'Holy,' and the wings, as they move, cry, 'Holy,' and the

retinue of angels cry, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.' And

the redeemed shout, 'Alleluia!' as the chariot moves onward

toward the New Jerusalem.

"Before entering the City of God, the Saviour bestows upon

His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the

insignia of their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up in

the form of a hollow square about their King, whose form rises

in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance

beams upon them full of benignant love. Throughout the un-

numbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him,

every eye beholds His glory whose 'visage was so marred more

than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.' Upon

the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand

places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his

own 'new name' (Revelation 2:17), and the inscription, 'Holi-

ness to the Lord.' . . .

"Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens

wide the pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth

enter in. There they behold the Paradise of God, the home of

Adam in his innocency. Then that voice, richer than any music

that ever fell on mortal ear, is heard, saying: 'Your conflict is

ended."Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'

"—The

Great Controversy,

pp. 645, 646.

"Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly

gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, 'You

have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth,

enter in.' We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in

the

city."—Early Writings,

p. 17.

THINK IT THROUGH



What do I learn from the fact that on the crown that Christ

gives to every victor there is written a new name and the

inscription: "Holiness to the Lord"? How can I acquire this

new name?

102

The Second Coming

LESSON 12



❑

Friday

June 22

Part 6



What is the only way of making sure of our participation in

HOW TO MAKE the glorious meeting with Christ and all the saints in the city of

SURE OF OUR God?

PARTICIPATION

"They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and

by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives

unto the death" (Rev. 12:11).

God never asks us to do anything for which He has not made

ample provision. God is far above our enemy, and He has pro-

vided for our complete success.

But a constant fight is going on. The devil does not give up

easily. As long as we live, we have to behave as good soldiers of

Jesus; we must be valiant and take full advantage of the means

of grace that God has put at our disposal.

What is the human part in the plan of salvation? James 4:7,

last part.

"Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day,

but a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is

the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for

Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in

the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long,

persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we

shall overcome."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

p. 560.

What must accompany the resisting of the devil? James 4:7,

first part.

Submission, surrender to God is the human part. It is impos-

sible to defeat the devil with our own efforts. Christ has to do it

for us, but He needs our cooperation.

On the other hand, in light of the last part of John 15:5, what

should we beware of?

THINK IT THROUGH

"The Lord does nothing without our cooperation. When

Christ prayed, Father, keep them in Thy name, He did not mean

that we should neglect to keep ourselves in the love and faith of

God. Alive unto God, through a living union with Christ, we trust

in the promises, constantly gaining greater strength by behold-

ing

Jesus."—Selected Messages,

bk. 2, p. 236.

How completely do I depend of the power of God and on the

work of the Holy Spirit in my life? Have I learned how, by a

living faith in Jesus, to avail myself of His promise of making

me a partaker of the divine nature?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 560-567.

103

LESSON 13 June 24-30

"Prepare to meet thy God, 0

Israel" (Amos 4:12).

A mere knowledge of all the

tremendous events that, in these last

days of human history, are going to

shake the world and also the church

in a mighty way is undoubtedly of

great importance. Nevertheless,

knowledge will not do us much good

if it does not lead us to a thorough

spiritual preparation that would

enable us to stand in the great day

of God and finally meet the Lord with

peace and joy.

The church of God at large is going

to be victorious one of these days. But

the plan of God is that every one of

us should achieve victory in his own

life, so that he may be identified with

the triumphant people of God.

The tendency now is to be deceived

regarding ourselves, to be lulled by

a deadly stupor. This is the natural

condition of Laodicea. But God wants

every one of us to get rid of this

lethal condition, similar to a physical

state of coma. The end is very near.

"The 'time of trouble, such as never

was,' " writes the servant of God,

"is soon to open upon us; and we

shall need an experience which we do

not now possess and which many are

too indolent to obtain."—The

Great

Controversy,

p. 622.

Our only hope of obtaining an

experience that may allow us to

triumph is Christ. He is the great

secret. He is the only way.

In this lesson we want to specify

how we can take advantage of the

wonderful spiritual means with which

God has supplied us in order to let

Jesus prepare us and give us the

victory that will put us in the necessary

condition to meet the Lord in His

great day.

We will review what the specific

elements are that will enable us to be

under the protection of our heavenly

Father and to be continually in close

contact with Him, fully covered and

sheltered from every material and

spiritual danger and fully prepared

for His second coming.

DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

An Experiential Knowledge

(John 17:3)

A Personal Relationship

(Col. 1:26, 27)

Christ's Rulership of Our Life

(Gal. 2:20)

The Role of the Will—Surrender

(Rev. 3:20)

The Great Source of Life

(John 6:63)

Prayer and Watchfulness

(Matt. 26:41)

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Sunday

June 24

Part 1

AN EXPERIENTIAL

KNOWLEDGE

What is the vital importance and necessity of having a

knowledge of God and of Christ?

"This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true

God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

Having a theoretical knowledge of the Word of God without

feeling its tremendous effect on one's character is not enough

for salvation. Understanding the doctrines without allowing the

truth to act upon the life in order to transform it will not do much

good either. The only thing that brings eternal life is a direct,

personal, and experiential knowledge of God as our loving

Father and of Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Friend.

With many Christians religion seems to be participation in a

series of formal activities and acceptance of a set of doctrines.

Unfortunately, even in our church there are many members who

go through the forms and who comply with the external acts of

worship. But they have not yet attained a firsthand knowledge of

and a loving, personal, daily relationship with God and with

Christ His Son. This knowledge and this relationship are sorely

needed.

What does the Lord say is to be the reason for glorying? Jer.

9:23, 24.

"This knowledge [of the loving-kindness and righteousness

of God] is the foundation of all true education and of all true

service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation; and it is

this alone that can make one like God in character. Through the

knowledge of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to the

believer 'all things that pertain unto life and godliness.' . . .

". . Scarcely can the human mind comprehend the breadth

and depth and height of the spiritual attainments of him who

gains this knowledge."—The

Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 530, 531.



THINK IT THROUGH



In what ways do I have a superficial spiritual experience?

How can I experience a closer relationship with Christ?

"The experimental knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ

whom He has sent, transforms man into the image of God. It

gives to man the mastery of himself, bringing every impulse and

passion of the lower nature under the control of the higher

powers of the mind. It makes its possessor a son of God and an

heir of heaven. It brings him into communion with the mind of

the Infinite, and opens to him the rich treasures of the

universe."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

p. 114.



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"The Reward of Grace," pp. 400,

401.

106

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Monday

June 25

Part 2

A PERSONAL

RELATIONSHIP

THINK IT THROUGH

What is the real essence of the gospel of Jesus and the plan

of salvation?

"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from

generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom

God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this

mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope

of glory" (Col. 1:26, 27).

"Christ in you" is a very simple and wonderful formula for

attaining the highest spiritual stature. When He is in us, filling

our mind, living in our heart, He will be manifesting His charac-

ter, speaking His words, thinking His thoughts, living His life in

us. No human science, no psychology can explain it. It is a

mystery. Nevertheless, when we allow Christ to be in us, and

when we are in Him, the miracle begins to happen. And it keeps

on happening as long as this real union between the heart and

God exists.

With what appropriate and simple natural fact did Christ try

to illustrate this same great truth? John 15:4, 5.

In order for the branch to bear fruit, it has to grow on the vine.

It must be a part of the vine. As soon as the branch is severed

from the vine, the branch dies. The same happens to us if our

union with Christ, the true Vine, is severed.

"Will we put forth most earnest efforts to form this alliance

with Christ, through which alone these blessings are attained?

Will we break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by

turning unto the Lord? Skepticism and infidelity are wide-

spread. Christ asked the question: 'When the Son of man com-

eth, shall He find faith on the earth?' We must cherish a living,

active faith. The permanence of our faith is the condition of our

union."—Testimonies,

vol. 5, p. 231.

In what other illustration did Jesus emphasize our need of

being constantly in close relationship with Him to attain vic-

tory in our Christian life? John 6:33, 35, 48.

When bread is eaten, it becomes part of the body, providing

nourishment to sustain a person's life. It is likewise with Christ

When He is received in human life and abides there, He gives

spiritual life and strength.

Since this Bread that came down from heaven is available

to every person, why is it that so many do not receive any

benefit from it?

FURTHER STUDY



The Acts of the Apostles,

pp. 476, 477.

107

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Tuesday

June 26



Part 3



To what extent Is Jesus to take over the life of the believer?

CHRIST'S



RULERSHIP



"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,

OF OUR LIFE but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I

live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself

for me" (Gal. 2:20, RSV).

One of the great deceptions of Satan is to induce us to strug-

gle, by our own efforts, to overcome sin in our life. But our only

hope is Christ. When we let Him take over in our life, He brings

victory to our sin-sick souls.

"Each one will have a close struggle to overcome sin in his

own heart. This is at times a very painful and discouraging work;

because, as we see the deformities in our character, we keep

looking at them, when we should look to Jesus and put on the

robe of His righteousness. Everyone who enters the pearly

gates of the city of God will enter there as a conqueror, and his

greatest conquest will have been the conquest of self."—

Testimonies,

vol. 9, pp. 182, 183.

"As long as Satan reigns we shall have self to subdue, beset-

ments to overcome, and there is no stopping place."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol.

7, p. 947.

The apostle says: "I have been crucified with Christ." Self has

died. The throne of my heart has been vacated. The self has

been denied. "It is no longer I who live," he adds, "but Christ

who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20; RSV). Once I have vacated the

throne of my heart and surrendered completely to Him, plead-

ing with Him to be the Ruler of my life, then He comes and lives

in me. What a wonderful transfer of rulership! He brings along

with Him His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His long-

suffering, His gentleness, His goodness, His faith, His meek-

ness, His self-control, and my life changes completely. It be-

comes a real, happy, and peaceful life; it becomes a godly life; it

becomes a victorious life.

The final statement of the verse is: "And the life I now live in

the flesh [my daily, practical, everyday life), I live by faith in the

Son of God." By faith I appropriate the victory. (See 1 John 5:4). I

do not look into myself, into my weaknesses and deformities. I

look to Jesus, and by faith I accept the character of Jesus, which

actually is incorporated into my being, changing my whole

behavior—my feelings, my thoughts, my intentions. Christ now

lives His life in me.



THINK IT THROUGH



How would this change of rulership in my own life affect the

church as a whole? How would a spiritual renewal of this kind

affect fellow members of the family of God?



FURTHER STUDY



The Ministry of Healing,

p. 487.

108

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Wednesday

June 27



Part 4



What is the experience symbolized in Revelation 3:20?

THE ROLE OF



THE WILL—



"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my



SURRENDER



voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with

him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20).

God has made man a free moral entity, in His own image. Man

is responsible for his own acts. He is free because he has the

right and the ability to choose. God never forces the will. He will

never save us unless we desire to be saved. This is the opposite

of the way used by Satan.

How do other scriptures emphasize the vital role of the will?

Deut. 30:19; Matt. 16:24.

"Choose life." The only one who can choose for me is myself.

God has given me this freedom of choice; and, if it is rightly

used, no one has the right to deprive me of it.

"Let him deny himself" and decide to turn to Jesus. This is

really the only part the human being has in his own salvation.

The will, in the biblical sense, is not the power of changing our

own habits and our life, but the power of choice.

The spirit of prophecy explains the role of the human will in

conversion and the plan of salvation thus:

"Many are inquiring,

'How am

I to make the surrender of

myself to God?' You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are

weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the

habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like

ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your im-

pulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken prom-

ises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your

own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept

you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is

the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the

nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything

depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God

has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change

your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but

you can

choose

to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will

then work in you to will and to do according to His good plea-

sure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control

of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him,

your thoughts will be in harmony with

Him."—Steps to Christ,

p. 47.



THINK IT THROUGH



What can I do to strengthen my surrender to God, letting

Christ take over the rulership of my life?



FURTHER STUDY



Christ's Object Lessons,

"Talents" (Mental Faculties), p. 333.

109

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Thursday

June 28



Part 5



According to Jesus' words, what is the great source of

THE GREAT spiritual life for the child of God?

SOURCE OF LIFE

"It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the

words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63,

RSV).

Jesus had spoken of Himself as the bread of life (John 6:33,

35, 50, 51) in order to convey the idea that He is the only way of

salvation and life eternal. And then, to emphasize this thought,

He said: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal

life" (verse 54, RSV). But when some of the disciples did not

understand what He meant and began to take offense, He has-

tened to explain it further: "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh,

is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and

life."

A close contact with Jesus through the words He spoke has

the power to give spiritual life and produce Christian growth

and maturity. When we open the Bible or the spirit of prophecy

with an open heart—reading and meditating on them, trying to

apply the messages to our own individual life—the Holy Spirit

makes a deep impression on our minds. He shows us more

clearly our spiritual needs. He makes more real the unfailing

promises of God. He strengthens our faith. He arouses in us the

desire to be like our blessed Master and prepares us to pray

more meaningfully and fervently. A spiritual hunger and thirst,

produced by the active power of the Holy Spirit, adds more

strength and power to our prayers.

In what other way does Jesus illustrate the tremendous

effect of the study and meditation of His Word? John 15:7.

Jesus had talked about the need for human beings to abide in

Him and He in them. This is the only way we can bear fruit. Then

He goes on to clarify that statement with verse 7: "If ye abide in

me, and my words abide in you."

The way forJesus to abide in our hearts is by letting His words

enter our hearts. While we spend precious moments with the

open Word of God or with the testimonies of His Spirit, we are

communicating with Heaven. We have our hearts open to the

influence of the Spirit, since the Word is "the sword of the

Spirit."

There is no way of knowing God or His Son in a personal way

aside from the study of the Word and meditation on it. This Word

speaks to our hearts with heavenly power. It conveys to us the

knowledge of God and of Christ; it nourishes our soul and gives

us the actual life of Christ.



THINK IT THROUGH



How can I find more time for the study of the Bible?



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"A Knowledge of God," pp. 85-91.

110

Christ, Our Victory

LESSON 13



❑

Friday

June 29



Part 6



Why is the believer to watch and pray?

PRAYER AND



WATCHFULNESS



"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit

indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41).

No spiritual house of a child of God could be devoid of the

garden of prayer. No day of a victorious Christian could possibly

begin without a quiet visit to that wonderful garden, where the

soul meets with God.

There, in the quiet morning hour, we open our hearts to God.

We praise His name and let our feelings of gratitude pour forth

in a simple way. We thank Him for the many blessings He

bestows upon us, and especially for the wonderful gift of His

Son. We ask forgiveness for our sins, and by faith we receive

right there the cleansing from sin, and we are clothed in the

white robes of Christ's imputed righteousness.

There we acknowledge our spiritual deformities, our weak-

nesses, and our defects of character. Longing to receive in our

life the power of the indwelling Christ, we ask for the baptism of

the Holy Spirit, in order for Him to cleanse our life, soften our

mood, purify our thoughts, and fill us with love, patience, good-

ness, gentleness, and meekness.

There, at the foot of the cross, praying with faith, looking to

our wonderful Saviour and trusting in His promises, we receive

grace enough to live the Christian life that day. We receive by

faith the imparted righteousness of Christ.

There we make intercession for our loved ones, for our fellow

workers, for our neighbors, for the leaders of our cause, and for

the people for whom we are working. There we again commit

ourselves to God; we surrender our hearts to Him; and we leave

our helpless souls in His tender care.

Aday begun with an hour of personal study of the Word and of

quiet and intimate talking with God will be a day of strength.

"By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding

presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with

the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never

let go."—The

Ministry of Healing,

p. 182.

"Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your

very first work. Let your prayer be, 'Take me, 0 Lord, as wholly

Thine. I lay my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service.

Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.... Thus

day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and

thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of

Christ."—Steps

to Christ,

p. 70.



THINK IT THROUGH



How much time tomorrow will I dedicate to study and

prayer?



FURTHER STUDY



Steps to Christ,

"The Privilege of Prayer," pp. 93-104.

111

Sabbath School members who have not received a copy of the Adult Lessons for the

third quarter of 1979 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first two

lessons. The title of the series is BE READY!

First Lesson

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CHURCH

Memory Text, Isa. 64:6.

1. A Message of Love (Rev. 3:14, 15)

Lukewarmness (Rev. 3:15, 16)

Insipid Christians (Rev. 3:16)

Spiritual Self-satisfaction (Rev. 3:17-19)

Christ at the Door (Rev. 3:20)

Our Response (Rev. 3:22)

Second Lesson

THE HEART OF THE LAODICEAN MESSAGE

Memory Text, Rev. 3:18.

1. "I counsel thee to buy of me" (Rev. 3:18)

2. "Gold tried in the fire" (Rev. 3:18)

3. "White raiment" (Rev. 3:18)

4. "Eyesalve" (Rev. 3:18)

5. "I rebuke and chasten" (Rev. 3:19)

6. "Be zealous . . . , and repent" (Rev. 3:19)

Lessons in Braille

The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month in

Braille and 16

rpm records to blind and physically handicapped persons

who cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because of

arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth,

cannot hold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian

Record Braille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

112

A reform movement

END OF

PROBATION

CHRIST'S

SECOND

COMING

This order of events

preceding the end of

probation does not

imply chronological

succession. These

events are to some

extent simultaneous

and will continue to

the close of proba-

tion.

Sealing

Latter rain

Loud cry; end God's work



Shaking



Early time of trouble



Sunday law

Death

decree

Four angels

release

the winds

Persecution

After 1844 there is no estab-

lished date for the fulfillment

of Bible prophecy and no other

period defined in terms of

years; therefore none of the

events of this diagram can be

dated. The only thing we can

do is to determine their ap-

proximate relative positions.

But we are certain of this—that

we are very near the end of

probation.

Leaving large



Leaving small

cities



towns

Liberation

PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL CRISIS

Your Adventist Neighbors

by Richard Utt.

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can't give the answer in just a few

words or in just a few minutes. This little

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by H. M. S. Richards, Jr.

For the unbeliever this little book will

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visions for eternal life. It gives the

reader an overall view of the 66

books of the Bible in one sitting. $.75

The Mightiest Lover of All

by Lawrence Maxwell.

This is one of the favorite Bible stories

of young and old alike—that of Sam-

son, one whom God loved though

unlovely. If God loved Samson, with

all his faults and failures, there is cer-

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was written to tell us about God and

His great love for each one of us. $.50

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that good people sometimes do bad

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Forgive. 5. Discover the

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cross. $.50

These books are available at your

local Adventist Book Center.

Prices in U.S. currency.

Brought to you by Pacific Press

NORTHERN EUROPE

WEST AFRICA DIVISION

Union



Population

British



60,127,963

Rnland



4,733,000

Netherlands



13,700,000

Nigerian



59,044,582

Polish



34,000.000

Swedish



8,433,000

West African



28,520,

West Nordic



9,210 2

Icelandic Cont.



2 ,918

Division Totals

Chute

Me .



13 55



14,



,82



, 0



2,899



38,921



94,236



4,043



4,551



3,721



4,487



34,643



79,286



9,305



8,910



526



424